12.4 Apiculture · Part 4

It is also used in the preparation of cakes, breads and biscuits Bee wax is secreted by the abdomen of the worker bees at the age of two weeks. The wax is masticated and mixed with the secretions of the cephalic glands to convert it into a plastic resinous substance. The resinous chemical substance present in the wax is called propolis which is derived from pollen grains. The pure wax is white in colour and the yellow colour is due to the presence of carotenoid pigments. It is used for making candles, water proofing materials, polishes for floors, furniture, appliances, leather and taps. It is also used for the production of comb foundation sheets in bee keeping and used in pharmaceutical industries. Bees teach us a lesson to work with cooperation. Imagine the hardwork of the bees! A single honey bee travels about double the distance of the circumference of the earth’s globe for preparing .5ml of honey.