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The Biology of the Honey Bee Paperback – Illustrated, April 1, 1991

by Mark L. Winston (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars 144 ratings
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From ancient cave paintings of honey bee nests to modern science’s richly diversified investigation of honey bee biology and its applications, the human imagination has long been captivated by the mysterious and highly sophisticated behavior of this paragon among insect societies. In the first broad treatment of honey bee biology to appear in decades, Mark Winston provides rare access to the world of this extraordinary insect.

In a bright and engaging style, Winston probes the dynamics of the honey bee’s social organization. He recreates for us the complex infrastructure of the nest, describes the highly specialized behavior of workers, queens, and drones, and examines in detail the remarkable ability of the honey bee colony to regulate its functions according to events within and outside the nest. Winston integrates into his discussion the results of recent studies, bringing into sharp focus topics of current bee research. These include the exquisite architecture of the nest and its relation to bee physiology; the intricate division of labor and the relevance of a temporal caste structure to efficient functioning of the colony; and, finally, the life-death struggles of swarming, supersedure, and mating that mark the reproductive cycle of the honey bee.

The Biology of the Honey Bee not only reviews the basic aspects of social behavior, ecology, anatomy, physiology, and genetics, it also summarizes major controversies in contemporary honey bee research, such as the importance of kin recognition in the evolution of social behavior and the role of the well-known dance language in honey bee communication. Thorough, well-illustrated, and lucidly written, this book will for many years be a valuable resource for scholars, students, and beekeepers alike.

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  1. Print length
    294 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Harvard University Press
  4. Publication date
    April 1, 1991
  5. Dimensions
    6.37 x 0.8 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0674074092
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0674074095
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Masterly… Without hesitation I recommend this book to a wide range of potential readers.”―John B. Free, Science

“Mark Winston offers a comprehensive account, covering aspects of anatomy and physiology as well as systematics, ecology and behavior… A useful overview of the biology of an insect that holds considerable interest for both economic and academic reasons. Rich in descriptive detail and well referenced, it will also serve as a basis for more detailed exploration of particular aspects of honey bee biology.”―Sarah Corbet, Times Higher Education Supplement

“This very readable book brings together the wealth of scattered information on the complex honey bee in a way that will serve as a standard for many years.”―Roger G. Bland, Science Books & Films

“Winston’s writing is brisk and enthusiastic and the book’s illustrations clear and informative. This is a delightful study of an odd, yet oddly familiar, creature.”―John R. Alden, Wall Street Journal

From the Back Cover

Mark L. Winston probes the dynamics of the honey bee's social organization. He creates for us the complex infrastructure of the nest, describes the highly specialized behavior of workers, queens, and drones, and examines the remarkable ability of the honey bee colony to regulate its functions according to events within and outside the nest.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harvard University Press (April 1, 1991)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 294 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0674074092
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0674074095
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.37 x 0.8 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 144 ratings

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Mark L. Winston

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
144 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book very informative, with excellent descriptions of bee life and numerous research topic hints. They appreciate its thoroughness and consider it well worth the purchase price.

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23 customers mention "Informative"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very informative and incredibly thorough, providing excellent descriptions of honey bee life and research topics.

"...Although clearly written for the most part, this is a challenging read, like for a college course, so be prepared for that, but the info is well..." Read more

"Very interesting, even where recent research sheds a new light on the topic...." Read more

"...an update to be cutting edge, but for my purposes, it increased my understanding exponentially." Read more

"...But, aside from chapter 2 the book was highly informative and useful." Read more

11 customers mention "Value for money"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book excellent and well worth buying.

"Great book, even if not up to the minute. Gives you a ton of detailed info on the 'basic science' of the honeybee...." Read more

"I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am in my second year in beekeeping. Knowing this type of scientific information will be very helpful for me...." Read more

"...before... paints Winnie the Pooh in a whole new light... anyway, it's good...." Read more

"...Well worth buying by anybody that would like to have a deeper understanding of this insect...." Read more

4 customers mention "Biodiversity"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's coverage of honey bee biology and behavior.

"...but will learn a ton about the biology, anatomy, and behavior of honeybees as a species, which is of great help in understanding why beekeeping..." Read more

"An excellent description of the life and biology of the honey bee...." Read more

"Incredibly thorough and detailed look into the life and biology of the honey bee. A must for any beekeeper who wants to understand their bees." Read more

"Biology of the honey bee..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Elizabeth A. Newell
    5.0 out of 5 stars Serious book for those wanting a deeper understanding
    Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Great book, even if not up to the minute. Gives you a ton of detailed info on the 'basic science' of the honeybee. Note I say 'basic science', not 'basic beekeeping'. You won't learn a lot about beekeeping directly, but will learn a ton about the biology, anatomy, and behavior of honeybees as a species, which is of great help in understanding why beekeeping techniques work (or don't work!). Although clearly written for the most part, this is a challenging read, like for a college course, so be prepared for that, but the info is well worth it. We are reading it aloud in an informal book club at my guild so if anyone gets stuck we can help each other or google more info, etc.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • gtp086
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the very best. Dense with facts and references
    Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Very interesting, even where recent research sheds a new light on the topic. Did you know the age distribution of a swarm peaks at about 10 days post emergence! Full of hints for research topics. Clear and unambiguous.
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  • raro
    5.0 out of 5 stars If you want to take your honey bee knowlege to the next level
    Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book is great for delving deeper into biology. Probably could use an update to be cutting edge, but for my purposes, it increased my understanding exponentially.
    Helpful
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  • Gary K.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very good scientific review on the honey bee and well written
    Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am in my second year in beekeeping. Knowing this type of scientific information will be very helpful for me. I would recommend this book to every 2nd year, or more, beeekeeper. The only issue I had with the book was chapter 2, thus 4 stars rather than 5. I had to pretty much skip over chapter 2 because he wrote about evolution and millions of years. This told me he had a lot of assumptions in that are. But, aside from chapter 2 the book was highly informative and useful.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Mattie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Buzzworthy
    Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Bought for a self study class, and I find it very interesting. Some of it can get a bit dull (there's a lot of scientific research talk so if you're into that you'll love it) but there's are a lot more interesting and cool facts about all aspects of the hive I didn't know before... paints Winnie the Pooh in a whole new light... anyway, it's good. Annotate and keep a highlighter so you can highlight what's relevant to you.

    Also, note: This book is a bit dated, so look up "royalactin" to add into the queen development sections. Pretty cool!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • SteelandWood
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very well written book !
    Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I just received my book ! I have already finished the first chapter and so far I am very pleased with my book ! Very well written !
    Just would like more illustrations ! But the content is very informative ! Great buy !
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  • Cole
    5.0 out of 5 stars 5/5
    Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    As a new beekeeper, one of the most common bits of advice I receive is to start with biology. This was an incredibly insightful read and has no doubt helped me understand what I'm up against this spring. Highly recommended.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Robert
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent description of the life and biology of the honey bee
    Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    An excellent description of the life and biology of the honey bee. Well worth buying by anybody that would like to have a deeper understanding of this insect. Many high quality diagrams and clearly written without jargon.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Colin bateson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Informative book.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is an informative book with a lot of interesting factual content. easy to dip into.
    Report
  • Lluc
    3.0 out of 5 stars Mala maquetación o cortes
    Reviewed in Spain on April 16, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    El contenido es genial, sin embargo o bien la maquetación es un desastre o las páginas están mal cortadas. Una pena para un libro tan caro.
    Report
  • Mario Ricchiuti
    5.0 out of 5 stars Un trattato completo e comprensibile anche per i non addetti ai lavori
    Reviewed in Italy on December 18, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Completo e rigoroso dal punto di vista scientifico, utilizza un linguaggio semplice e lineare che ne rende la lettura gradevole anche a coloro che per la prima volta si avvicinano con interesse a questa affascinante e particolarissima specie, così importante per l'equilibrio agro - ambientale del Pianeta. Adatto anche a chi come me, ha una conoscenza media della lingua inglese.
    Report
  • Barbara
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative with great details
    Reviewed in Canada on June 19, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    This book is great. I'm a beekeeper and I'm interested in learning all I can about bees so this book hit the spot perfectly. It has great detail on the honey bee's anatomy and their activities/tasks both in and out of the hive. I've read many beekeeping books that cover some biology but not to the extent that this book does - that's why I recommend it.

    It answered many of those little nagging questions I'd have. For instance, the reason why bees showed up in the hive one day with a distinct yellow rectangular stripe on their backs I learned is because they have a blind spot on their backs that they can't reach when grooming. There are certain flowers that mark a stripe of pollen on the bee's back when she enters the flower.

    The author's writing style is easy to read. There are some technical details but they're certainly not overdone (no need to skip pages or be put to sleep) and the author breaks them down in such a way that you'll get the point, regardless if you're a beekeeper or someone who's interested in bees.

    Some of the chapters are: The Origin and Evolutionary History of Bees, Honey Bee Anatomy, Development and Nutrition, Nest Architecture, The Age-Related Activities of Worker Bees, Other Worker Activities, The Chemical World of Honey Bees, Communication and Orientation, etc. As you can see there's lots of topics. All three castes of bees (drone, worker and queen) are covered.

    The chapter on the chemical world was great. Bees are able to do many more scent markings than I was aware of.

    References to studies are listed throughout. There's a full reference section at the back of the book.

    I highly recommend this book. I plan to read it again.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars ... BBKA modular exams and this book has been really useful and easy to read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 2, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I am doing the BBKA modular exams and this book has been really useful and easy to read. Good value. Sue K
    Report