Royal cell
- Pronunciation
- /ROY-uhl sel/
- Category
- Behavior
- Singular
- Royal cell
- Plural
- Royal cells
Definition
A specially constructed cell in a beehive where a queen bee is reared. These cells are typically larger than regular brood cells and are used for breeding new queen bees.
Etymology
Derived from 'royal', referring to the queen bee, and 'cell', referring to the compartment in the hive.
Example
When the hive requires a new queen, the worker bees will construct several royal cells and rear potential queen larvae in them.
Synonyms
Related Terms
- Queen bee
- Hive
- Brood cell
- Worker bee
Usage Notes
Royal cells are crucial for the reproduction and survival of the bee colony, as they ensure the emergence of a new queen.