The term “worker bee” actually refers to various categories of bees, distinguished by age classes and tasks performed.
During the first few days after birth, the worker bee dedicates herself to cleaning the cells of the hive and is therefore called a “cleaning bee”. Later, she becomes one of the “nurse bees”, that is, the bees that feed and watch over the brood. Around the tenth day of life, her glands, which produce wax, are activated and the worker bee begins to dedicate herself to building the honeycombs. From the twentieth day, she works as a “guardian” at the entrance to the hive. Finally, from the third week of life onwards, she begins her long career as a “forager” that she will carry out until the end of her days, that is, flying outside the hive in search of and collecting nectar, pollen, water, propolis and honeydew.