Flowery Bee Egg Cases

Posted by NG Kids in News Bites on May 11, 2010
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What appears to be a flower bud is actually a bee nest. One species of bee called, Osmia tergestensis, made it by “gluing” flower petals together with mud. Once the container is complete, the bee fills it with nectar and pollen and lays a single egg inside.

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After finishing the egg chamber, the bee buries it. As the chamber dries, it becomes very hard, which protects the egg inside. The baby bee hatches after spending ten months in the flowery egg chamber.

See more pictures and learn more about the bees on National Geographic News.

Why are honey bees disappearing? Investigate the honey bee mystery on National Geographic Kids


Photographs courtesy J.G. Rozen, AMNH

Tags: , , , ,
Categories: Animals

Comments

  1. yellow
    May 13, 2010, 12:13 am

    Cooooooooooooooooooooooooooool!

  2. Marshiemouse
    May 13, 2010, 5:23 pm

    Thats Amazing

  3. escape2books
    May 13, 2010, 6:11 pm

    BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!………….cool, but still horribly boring. As you can see no one is commenting.

  4. bluestar1010
    May 13, 2010, 8:26 pm

    rrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyy cccccccccoooooollllllllll!!!!

  5. bluestar1010
    May 14, 2010, 2:34 pm

    it is not boring!!!!!!

  6. bluestar1010
    May 14, 2010, 2:35 pm

    3 people cometeted

  7. escape2books
    May 14, 2010, 11:13 pm

    Everyone is agreeing, that is what is boring. At least the reading blog there is different oponions. this is a blog not a fanclub.

  8. escape2books
    May 14, 2010, 11:31 pm

    Many people probalby think that I am mean and that I hate this web-site. The fact is that I ejoy this website, and I want to make it better than it is. To me a bee is a bee nothing else. No matter what you do it is a bee. The reading blog on this web-site gets a lot more comments. Why is that? The answer is that there we comment are opinions on book, but her how do you discusse bee nests? I do not know the answer to that. All I know is that at the reading blob 26 people comment her 8. most likely nobody will comment to me that mostly happens when I write….. [sigh]……

  9. emshemie3
    May 15, 2010, 11:12 am

    Aww… :)

  10. emshemie3
    May 17, 2010, 5:24 pm

    OK, escape2books…I will simply say that you don’t have to comment if the topic bores you and I’m sure National Geographic hears your complaints. Furthermore there are other kids besides you on this blog that do enjoy this stuff. Remember, NG kids mostly discuss nature-related topics like this one about bees laying their eggs in flowers. On the bright side, don’t feel left out. I will always be willing to respond to your comments! As a matter of fact, you make this blog more interesting for me.

  11. escape2books
    May 17, 2010, 6:19 pm

    What did I tell you, nobody is commenting to me. One day you guys will prove me wrong, but I hope it will be soon……………

  12. emshemie3
    May 17, 2010, 10:37 pm

    What do you mean, escape2books? I commented back to you. Do you mean something else?

  13. escape2books
    May 18, 2010, 7:59 pm

    drumroll please……….. I am now going to shut up!!!!!!!………………thank you thank you …… I know that everyone is disapionted Ha!

  14. Anonymous
    May 20, 2010, 8:53 am

    Escape2books u r mean!!

  15. escape2books
    May 21, 2010, 8:33 am

    I apologize

  16. escape2books
    May 21, 2010, 8:42 am

    I can come a little strong sometimes so I apologize if any one elso is mad at me. I sound like a broken record saying the same thing over and over![ if you saw how I last commented in I forget which reiew you will get it] My writing style can be seen as very rude and sarcastic, but that is not always my intention. So finnaly Case Closed :0

  17. escape2books
    May 21, 2010, 10:17 am

    emshemie3, when I wrote that comment I did not your comment. Thank you for answering!!!!! I hope you do not think I ignored you.

  18. 9s.aoppenheimer
    May 26, 2010, 8:45 am

    wow you guys like to talk. well escape2books it seems like you need a friend so i want 2 b ure friend.

  19. climber
    June 1, 2010, 7:52 pm

    i forgive u books and i mean to apologize

  20. abdul
    June 21, 2010, 8:41 pm

    what a head!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  21. etiler
    April 19, 2012, 10:10 am

    Thank you for sharing

    Etiler

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