Beeswax and honey, while both products of bees, are fundamentally different in their origin and nature.
Key Differences
Here's a breakdown of the key distinctions between beeswax and honey:
| Feature | Beeswax | Honey |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Secreted from wax glands of Apis mellifera and Apis cerana bees. | By-product of flower nectar and the upper aero-digestive tract of bees. |
| Substance | A natural, solid wax | A sweet, viscous liquid |
| Function for Bees | Used to build honeycombs for storing honey and raising brood. | Serves as food for bees and larvae. |
Further Explanation
- Beeswax is a substance bees produce through specialized glands. They use it to construct the honeycomb structure which stores honey and shelters larvae.
- It is a solid material at room temperature, often with a yellowish tint.
- Honey, on the other hand, is made from flower nectar that bees collect and transform.
- The bees store nectar in their honey stomach. Through a series of enzymatic processes, they break down the nectar into simpler sugars and dehydrate it to create honey. This process is done in the upper aero-digestive tract of the honey bee according to the reference.
- Honey is liquid and sweet, and it is used as a primary source of energy for the bee colony.
Practical Insights
- Beeswax Use: It’s commonly found in candles, cosmetics, and woodworking.
- Honey Use: Honey is widely used as a sweetener and has some medicinal properties.
Summary
In short, beeswax is a structural material produced by glands in bees, while honey is a food product created from nectar collected by the bees. According to our reference "Beeswax is the natural secretion from the wax gland of the genus Apis mellifera and Apis cerana whereas honey is a by-product of flower nectar and the upper aero-digestive tract of the honey bee.19-Aug-2020"
