Hello All

I have read that when a foraging bee returns to the hive with a load of
nectar, that she is unloaded by a house bee. Before this unloading begins,
the house bee takes a small sample of the nectar and checks it for sugar
content against some form of 'scale' which is valid at that moment, and
which is based on the sugar content of the nectar being brought in.

Then if the nectar does not have a high enough sugar content, the foraging
bee is not unloaded. I am wondering what happens to that nectar.

If on the other hand the nectar is acceptable, and is highest in the 'scale'
of nectar percentages, then that bee does a dance to inform other bees which
have been unloaded or just recruited to foraging of the direction and
distance of the forage.

Is the above correct?

Sincerely

Tom Barrett
49 South Park
Foxrock
Dublin 18