What does the term "honey super" refer to in beekeeping?

The term "honey super" refers to a specific chamber in the beehive that is used for the storage of surplus honey. In a typical hive setup, beekeepers provide honey supers above the main brood chamber. These supers are where bees collect and store honey beyond what is needed for their own consumption. When beekeepers harvest honey, they remove these supers to extract the additional honey that has been produced by the bees.

This structure allows for efficient honey production because it keeps honey separate from the area where the queen lays eggs and the bees focus on rearing young. The design of honey supers typically includes frames that hold wax foundation or drawn comb, making it easier for bees to fill with honey. Thus, the term accurately conveys its purpose in beekeeping and honey production.