What material do bees mainly use to construct comb?

Study for the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions featuring hints and explanations. Get ready for your certification exam!

Bees mainly use wax to construct comb, which is critical for their ability to store honey and pollen as well as to raise their young. Worker bees secrete wax from special glands on their abdomens, and they use this wax to build the hexagonal cells that make up the honeycomb structure. This design is not only efficient for storage but also provides strength and insulation for the hive. Wax is therefore essential to the structure and function of a beehive, allowing bees to maintain an organized environment for their community.

While other materials such as wood, plastic, and propolis can sometimes be found in or around a beehive, they do not serve as the primary building blocks for the comb itself. Wood can provide structure or a frame for beehives, plastic can be used in some foundations, and propolis is used as a sealing agent to help protect the hive, but none of these materials fulfill the role of cell construction like wax does.

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