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Question 1. Which caste has the shortest egg-to-adult development time in Apis mellifera? A) Worker B) Drone C) Queen D) All develop at the same rate Answer: C Explanation: A queen develops from egg to adult in about 16 days, while workers need ~21 days and drones ~24 days. Question 2. The proboscis of a honey bee is primarily used for: A) Collecting pollen B) Grooming the antennae C) Ingesting nectar and water D) Delivering the sting Answer: C Explanation: The elongated proboscis functions as a sipping tube for nectar and water intake. Question 3. Which eye type gives honey bees their ability to detect polarized light? A) Compound eyes B) Simple eyes (ocelli) C) Both compound and simple eyes equally D) Neither; they rely on antennae Answer: A Explanation: The compound eyes contain photoreceptors oriented to perceive polarized light, aiding navigation. **Question 4. The corbiculae (pollen baskets) are located on which part of the bee? ** A) Hind tibia
B) Front femur C) Middle tarsus D) Abdomen tip Answer: A Explanation: The hind tibiae bear the flattened, hair-laden structures that collect and transport pollen. Question 5. Which internal organ stores honey before it is deposited in cells? A) Crop (honey stomach) B. Midgut C. Malpighian tubules D. Venom gland Answer: A Explanation: The crop, also called the honey stomach, temporarily holds nectar that later becomes honey. Question 6. Spiracles in honey bees are part of which system? A. Digestive B. Respiratory C. Circulatory D. Excretory Answer: B Explanation: Spiracles are external openings to the tracheal system, allowing gas exchange. Question 7. The hypopharyngeal glands produce: A. Wax B. Royal jelly C. Venom D. Pheromones Answer: B
Question 11. A nurse bee typically performs which task? A. Guarding the entrance B. Foraging for nectar C. Feeding larvae with royal jelly D. Building new comb Answer: C Explanation: Nurse bees, aged 5- 12 days, tend to the brood, feeding them royal jelly and brood food. Question 12. At what age do honey bee workers usually become foragers? A. 1- 3 days B. 5- 7 days C. 12- 20 days D. Over 30 days Answer: C Explanation: Workers transition to foraging after about two weeks of in-hive duties. Question 13. During winter, honey bee colonies form a “cluster” primarily to: A. Reduce moisture loss B. Maintain a stable temperature for the queen C. Increase honey consumption rate D. Defend against predators Answer: B Explanation: The cluster keeps the queen and brood warm by sharing body heat, maintaining ~20 °C. Question 14. Which of the following is a reliable indicator that a colony is preparing to swarm? A. Presence of many queen cells on the brood nest B. Absence of brood altogether C. Excess honey stores on the top bars
D. Increased drone production only Answer: A Explanation: Swarm preparation is signaled by the construction of multiple queen cells. Question 15. Drone congregation areas (DCAs) are used for: A. Storing honey reserves B. Mating flights of virgin queens C. Feeding drones collected pollen D. Overwintering of colonies Answer: B Explanation: DCAs are locations where drones aggregate to mate with virgin queens during their flight. Question 16. Which component of a Langstroth hive prevents the queen from moving into the honey super? A. Bottom board B. Queen excluder C. Inner cover D. Entrance reducer Answer: B Explanation: The queen excluder has openings large enough for workers but too small for the queen. Question 17. The most effective fuel for a smoker to produce a cool, long-lasting smoke is: A. Kerosene B. Charcoal briquettes C. Pine needles (green) D. Dried paper Answer: B
Question 21. For feeding colonies in early spring, the recommended syrup ratio is: A. 1 part sugar to 1 part water (1:1) B. 2 parts sugar to 1 part water (2:1) C. 3 parts sugar to 1 part water (3:1) D. 4 parts sugar to 1 part water (4:1) Answer: A Explanation: A 1:1 syrup mimics natural nectar flow and helps stimulate brood rearing without overfeeding. Question 22. In late autumn, beekeepers typically switch to which syrup ratio? A. 1: B. 2: C. 3: D. 4: Answer: B Explanation: A thicker 2:1 syrup provides more calories for winter stores while limiting moisture buildup. Question 23. The alcohol wash method for estimating Varroa mite levels involves: A. Shaking bees in powdered sugar and counting falling mites B. Placing bees in alcohol and counting detached mites after 30 seconds C. Using a microscope to count mites in brood cells D. Applying a chemical miticide and measuring mortality Answer: B Explanation: Bees are submerged in alcohol; mites detach and can be counted, giving an infestation percentage. Question 24. The “phoretic” phase of Varroa refers to: A. Mites reproducing inside capped brood cells
B. Mites attached to adult bees for transport C. Mites dormant in the hive debris D. Mites feeding on honey stores Answer: B Explanation: Phoretic mites ride on adult bees, feeding on hemolymph and spreading through the colony. **Question 25. Which symptom is most characteristic of American Foulbrood (AFB)? ** A. “Ropiness” of diseased larvae when pulled from cells B. Yellowish, watery larvae that die quickly C. Dark, mummified larvae with a chalky appearance D. Pink, gelatinous brood in the center of the comb Answer: A Explanation: AFB-infected larvae become sticky and rope-like when disturbed, a classic diagnostic sign. Question 26. A beekeeper who discovers AFB must: A. Treat the hive with oxalic acid and continue normal operations B. Report the case to the state agricultural authority and destroy the infected colony C. Remove the queen and re-queen the hive with a new queen D. Feed the colony high-protein pollen to boost immunity Answer: B Explanation: AFB is a notifiable disease; legal requirements mandate reporting and usually destruction of infected material. Question 27. Which brood disease presents as a “wet”, thin, and yellowish larva that fails to pupate? A. American Foulbrood B. European Foulbrood C. Chalkbrood
Explanation: Varroa mites vector DWV when they feed on developing pupae, leading to deformed adult wings. Question 31. Which native plant is a major early-spring nectar source in Union County, NJ? A. Goldenrod (Solidago) B. Red maple (Acer rubrum) C. Red clover (Trifolium pratense) D. Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) Answer: D Explanation: Black locust blooms in early spring and provides abundant nectar for foraging bees in the region. Question 32. Pollen from which family typically contains the highest protein content for honey bees? A. Asteraceae B. Fabaceae (legumes) C. Rosaceae D. Poaceae Answer: B Explanation: Legume pollens are rich in protein, supporting brood rearing and colony growth. Question 33. Cross-pollination by honey bees is most beneficial for which type of crop? A. Self-fertile wheat B. Wind-pollinated corn C. Insect-dependent fruit trees (e.g., apples) D. Aquatic algae Answer: C Explanation: Many fruit trees require insect vectors to transfer pollen between flowers, enhancing fruit set.
Question 34. The refractometer reading for moisture content in harvested honey should be: A. ≤ 15 % B. 20- 25 % C. 30- 35 % D. ≥ 40 % Answer: A Explanation: Moisture ≤ 15 % prevents fermentation and meets most regulatory standards. Question 35. During honey extraction, uncapped frames are placed in a: A. Centrifugal extractor B. Honey press C. Vacuum dryer D. Heat oven Answer: A Explanation: A centrifugal extractor spins frames, forcing honey out of the cells. Question 36. Federal labeling of honey in the United States must include which of the following? A. Country of origin only B. Net weight, producer name, and “Honey” statement C. Detailed floral source list D. Pesticide residue levels Answer: B Explanation: The FDA requires net weight, identity of the product (“Honey”), and the name/address of the packer or distributor. Question 37. Beeswax harvested from a hive can be used for all EXCEPT: A. Candle making
Answer: C Explanation: Immediate epinephrine administration reverses life-threatening anaphylaxis. Question 41. Which label on a pesticide product indicates it is safe for bees when applied according to directions? A. “Toxic to bees – avoid all contact” B. “Bee safe – use after flowering” C. “Restricted use – only for indoor application” D. “No label” Answer: B Explanation: “Bee safe – use after flowering” signals that the product can be used without harming foraging bees if timed correctly. Question 42. Urban beekeeping best practice for neighbor relations includes: A. Placing hives directly on public sidewalks B. Ignoring local ordinances C. Providing a clear “No-stinging” sign and maintaining low hive density D. Using bee-attracting pheromone traps near neighbor homes Answer: C Explanation: Transparency, signage, and respecting hive density help mitigate nuisance concerns. Question 43. The average lifespan of a worker bee during the active season is approximately: A. 6 weeks B. 6 months C. 1 year D. 2 years Answer: A Explanation: Active-season workers live about 5- 6 weeks, after which they die due to accumulated wear.
Question 44. Which of the following is NOT a function of the queen’s spermatheca? A. Storing sperm from multiple drones B. Producing royal jelly C. Allowing fertilization of eggs over years D. Maintaining viability of stored sperm Answer: B Explanation: Royal jelly is secreted by hypopharyngeal glands, not the spermatheca. Question 45. During a “supersedure” event, the colony: A. Replaces a failing queen with a newly raised queen B. Swarms to form a new colony C. Increases honey production dramatically D. Eliminates all drones from the hive Answer: A Explanation: Supersedure is the process of replacing an old or failing queen without swarming. Question 46. The “queen pipe” is a sound produced when: A. The queen vibrates her wings while walking B. A developing queen emerges from her cell and releases a high-pitched “piping” noise C. Workers feed the queen royal jelly D. The queen releases pheromone during mating flight Answer: B Explanation: Emerging queens emit a piping sound that can signal the presence of multiple queen cells. Question 47. The optimal temperature range for brood rearing in a honey bee colony is:
C. A sample of 300-500 adult bees collected in a jar D. The queen’s legs Answer: C Explanation: Bees are placed in a jar, powdered sugar is added, and shaken; mites detach and fall for counting. Question 51. “Wax moth” larvae are most likely to cause damage when: A. The hive is strong and full of honey B. The colony is weak and has excess comb without honey C. There are many drones present D. The queen is a virgin Answer: B Explanation: Wax moths thrive in weak colonies with uncapped, empty comb that provides shelter and food. Question 52. Which of the following floral sources produces a dark, robust honey favored for winter stores in Union County? A. Clover B. Buckwheat C. Goldenrod D. Basswood Answer: C Explanation: Goldenrod blooms late summer and yields a dark, high-antioxidant honey ideal for winter. Question 53. The protein content of bee-collected pollen typically ranges between: A. 2- 5 % B. 10-15 % C. 20- 30 % D. 40- 50 %
Answer: C Explanation: Pollen generally contains 20- 30 % protein, essential for larval nutrition. Question 54. In a typical beekeeping calendar for Union County, which month marks the beginning of the main honey flow? A. January B. March C. May D. September Answer: C Explanation: The main nectar flow begins in May with blooming of early summer flora such as clover and phacelia. Question 55. Which method is recommended for removing a queen from a supersedure cell without damaging her? A. Freezing the entire frame B. Using a queen catcher and gently pulling the cell open C. Smashing the cell with a hammer D. Applying a high-heat blow dryer Answer: B Explanation: A queen catcher allows careful extraction of the queen from the cell while minimizing injury. Question 56. Oxalic acid vaporization (dribble) is most effective against Varroa when: A. The colony has a large brood area B. The colony is broodless (e.g., in late fall) C. The weather is above 30 °C D. The queen is newly mated Answer: B Explanation: Oxalic acid targets phoretic mites; without brood, mites cannot hide and are more exposed.
B. A queen that is failing or absent C. High levels of honey stores D. Strong weather conditions Answer: B Explanation: Without a viable queen, the colony cannot produce new brood, leading to a broodless state. Question 61. Which of the following best describes the role of the “ventilation bee” in a hive? A. Guarding the entrance B. Fanning wings to regulate temperature and humidity C. Feeding larvae royal jelly D. Carrying pollen back to the hive Answer: B Explanation: Ventilation bees fan their wings to promote airflow, maintaining optimal brood nest conditions. Question 62. The “honey bee dance language” primarily conveys information about: A. The queen’s health status B. The distance and direction of food sources C. The presence of Varroa mites D. The upcoming swarming date Answer: B Explanation: The waggle dance encodes distance and bearing to nectar or pollen sources. Question 63. In a standard Langstroth hive, the “inner cover” serves to: A. Provide a landing platform for the queen B. Reduce ventilation and protect against rain C. Act as a barrier for drones entering the brood nest
D. Hold the honey supers in place Answer: B Explanation: The inner cover covers the top of the brood box, providing weather protection while allowing airflow. Question 64. Which of the following is the most common cause of “bee drift” between apiaries? A. Strong wind currents B. Similar hive colors and placement causing confusion C. High levels of honey stores D. Presence of a queen pheromone lure Answer: B Explanation: Bees may mistakenly enter a neighboring hive if visual cues are too similar. Question 65. The “Nosema” infection in adult bees is best managed by: A. Feeding high-protein pollen patties B. Providing a continuous supply of fresh water C. Administering a sugar syrup containing Fumagillin (where legal) D. Increasing hive temperature to 40 °C Answer: C Explanation: Fumagillin is an antibiotic effective against Nosema spp.; it is used in syrup form where permitted. Question 66. Which of the following is a typical sign of a colony suffering from “winter loss”? A. Large numbers of capped brood in the middle of the hive B. Abundant honey stores and a strong queen C. A thin, empty cluster with dead bees near the entrance D. Excessive drone production in early spring Answer: C
