What are the stages of the honeybee life cycle?

The stages of the honeybee life cycle are accurately described as egg, larva, pupa, and adult. This sequence reflects the four distinct phases that a honeybee undergoes as it develops from a fertilized egg to an adult bee.

Initially, the queen lays a fertilized egg in a cell, and this egg hatches into a larva after three days. The larva feeds on royal jelly or honey and pollen, growing rapidly before it enters the pupal stage. During the pupal stage, the larva undergoes significant transformation, developing into a fully formed adult bee. After about ten days as a pupa, the adult honeybee emerges from the cell, completing the life cycle.

Understanding this sequence is essential for beekeepers as it helps them manage the health and productivity of their hives. Recognizing the stages allows beekeepers to identify the presence of problems, such as diseases or insufficient food supply, which can affect the development of the bees at various points in their life cycle.