Expert: Walter Hintz - 7/25/2006

Question
Hi,

Great!. Thanks much for your reply. I need few more explanation. Is the honey a vomit (from mouth) or excretion(from anus) of the bees?. Did ancient people have this knowledge that honey is from the stomach of the bees?. Most of the lay people even these times think that honey is a collection of nectar of the fruits by the bees?. Is it visible to our naked eyes to see that bees excreting honey or can it be known only through magnifying glasses. Please explain.

Regards,
Ameen
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Followup To

Question -
Hi,

I was informed that the honey is actually an excretion of the bees after they swallow the nectar from the fruits. Is that true?. How else honey is produced.

Thank you,

Regards,
Ameen

Answer -
Hi Ameen:  That is correct.  The bee drinks nectar and produces honey from its stomach.  Honey is really bee vomit but is good on toast.  Only bees produce honey.

Answer
It is secreted from the stomach and through the mouth.  The bee collects the nectar and processes it as honey.  I have no idea what earlier peoples believed.
If you watch bees in an observation beehive you can see them spitting out honey but you have to see a hive in action