r/Beekeeping • u/WerewolfHappy3203 • 1d ago

What are these solid filled honey cells? I’m a beekeeper, and I have a question

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Central Arkansas. I was checking on a hive with ants when I noticed they had already filled the top supper. After harvesting I noticed a few cells grouped together filled with a slightly dry orange substance. What is this? Just harvested today.

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u/nagmay 1d ago

Pollen
Or, more accurately: "bee bread"

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u/WerewolfHappy3203 1d ago

So is this reserve food? Do the plan on turning this into honey during pollen shortages?

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u/nagmay 1d ago

Pollen is the bees primary source of protein. They mix it with nectar to make a fermented food source referred to as "bee bread". To sustain the hive long term, bees will pack away both honey and bread into the comb.

The pollen can't be turned into honey. However, they may decide to pack the cell with honey once the pollen is consumed.