When collecting food, the honeybee (Apis mellifera) frequently returns to its nest with less than a full crop of nectar. Experiments suggest that this behaviour can be explained by
A) small quantities of nectar in most foraging areas.
B) the high predation risk involved in being away from the nest for long periods.
C) high demand for nectar at the nest.
D) optimisation of net return and energy expenditure.
E) All of the answers are correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The behavior of honeybees returning to the nest with less than a full crop of nectar is best explained by the optimization of net return and energy expenditure. This strategy allows bees to balance the energy they gain from nectar against the energy they spend collecting it, ensuring efficient foraging.

When Collecting Food, the Honeybee (Apis Mellifera) Frequently Returns to Its