What is temporal polyethism?

Temporal polyethism refers to the division of labor among bees based on their age. This social structure within a hive dictates that younger bees typically perform tasks related to the care of the brood and hive maintenance, while older bees are usually more involved in foraging for food and defending the hive. As bees age, they transition through different roles that best utilize their increasing experience and abilities.

This organization is crucial for the efficiency of the colony, as it allows for specialization of tasks, ensuring that various needs of the hive are met at different life stages of the bees. The lifecycle progression from nurse bees to foragers optimizes the colony's productivity and sustainability.