engleză
This work is the sequel to Honeybees and Wax published nearly thirty years ago. It starts with a brief introduction and discussions of nesting sites, space and density, self-organization of the nest contents and interspecific utilisation of beeswax. The following chapters cover communication by vibrations and scents, wax secretion, and the queen in relation to the combs. Regarding completed nests, the significance of brood, the roles of pollen and nectar flow and comb-building are discussed, followed by a triad of related chapters on the construction of cells and combs and their energetic costs. An in-depth look at the conversion of wax scales into combs, the material properties of scale and comb waxes and the wax gland complex is presented. The next chapters are devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the chemistry and synthesis of beeswax literature, and finally, the material properties of honeybee silk are highlighted.§
