What material do bees use to construct their nests?

Bees use beeswax to construct their nests, particularly in the case of honeybees. This wax is secreted from special glands on the bees’ bodies and is formed into the hexagonal cells of the honeycomb. These cells serve multiple purposes: they store honey, serve as brood chambers for larvae, and provide shelter for the bee colony. The unique properties of beeswax, such as its durability and moisture resistance, make it an ideal building material for creating a stable environment for the hive.

While other materials like wood pulp, honey, and pollen play significant roles in the bee's life cycle, they do not serve as structural components of the nest itself. Wood pulp is not typically used by bees, honey is a food source rather than a building material, and pollen, although essential for nutrition and brood rearing, is stored in cells and not used for construction. Thus, the role of beeswax as the primary material for nest construction highlights its critical importance in beekeeping and understanding bee behavior.