Bee milk

Pronunciation: /bee milk/

Category: Physiology

Singular: Bee milk

Plural: Bee milks

Definition

A nutrient-rich secretion produced by the hypopharyngeal glands of worker bees, primarily used to feed larvae and the queen bee. It is also known as royal jelly.

Etymology

From 'bee', referring to the insect, and 'milk', metaphorically indicating its nourishing qualities.

Example

The queen bee is fed bee milk throughout her larval stage, which allows her to develop into a fertile queen.

Synonyms

Royal jelly

Related Terms

Worker bee
Larvae
Queen bee
Hypopharyngeal glands

Usage Notes

Bee milk is highly nutritious and contains proteins, vitamins, and sugars that are essential for the growth and development of bee larvae and the diet of the queen bee.