What are the four stages of honey bee development?

The four stages of honey bee development are accurately identified as egg, larvae, pupa, and adult. This life cycle is foundational to understanding the growth and development of honey bees.

The process begins with an egg, which is laid by the queen bee. After about three days, the egg hatches into a larvae. During the larval stage, bees are fed royal jelly, pollen, and honey by worker bees to ensure proper growth, lasting approximately six days. Following this stage, the larvae enter the pupal phase, during which they undergo metamorphosis. This transformation lasts about 12 days, resulting in the fully developed adult bee.

Once they emerge as adults, honey bees take on various roles within the colony, ranging from foraging for nectar to caring for young bees, depending on their age and the needs of the hive. Understanding these stages is crucial for beekeepers not only for monitoring the health of their colonies but also for implementing effective management practices.