The Behavior of the Honey Bee in Pollen Collection

"The Behavior of the Honey Bee in Pollen Collection" by Dana Brackenridge Casteel is an early 1900s scientific bulletin that explores the complex behaviors of honey bees as they gather pollen, a crucial task for both the bees and the plants they pollinate, focusing specifically on fruit trees. The publication highlights the coordinated and complex nature of pollen collection, detailing how bees use their legs and mouthparts in a specific sequence to gather and pack pollen into specialized baskets. It points out that Bees use moisture, likely from saliva, to keep pollen together as they pack it, improving collection. The work also emphasizes how different types of plants offer varying amounts of pollen, impacting the efficiency of the bee's collection efforts, establishing the honey bee's critical function within its surrounding environment.