What does robbing refer to in bee activities?

Robbing refers specifically to the behavior where bees from one colony infiltrate another colony to steal honey. This typically occurs when a colony is weaker or when there is a lack of food resources, prompting the robbing bees to seek out food elsewhere. When this takes place, the bees are not just collecting nectar or pollen as they would during normal foraging; instead, they are directly taking stored honey from the other bees. This behavior can lead to conflicts between the colonies, with the robbing bees often being more aggressive in their attempts to access the honey stores of the attacked colony. Understanding this behavior is crucial for beekeepers, as it can impact hive health and management strategies.