OUTDOOR CORNER: POP QUIZ: MISSOURI'S STATE INSECT STAYS AS BUSY AS A ...

Can you name the Missouri state insect? Fourth Graders around the state can!

They have to study Missouri history, and the honeybee is just one of Missouri's symbols they learn about. Well if the honey bee is required learning then perhaps it warrants a closer look. There are lots of things about honeybees of which most people are unaware. Let's see what we can uncover about this little yard visitor.

You may be pleased to know that, as representatives go, the honey bee is an excellent choice. Missouri's residents are mostly from European descent and so is the honey bee. Yes, that is correct, the honey bee (Apis mellifera) was brought over here by European settlers and are not native to North America.

Other types of bees are native but not honey bees. Constructed hives were a suitable home for pioneers' bees, but escapes did occur. If a queen were to get out of the hive she would be followed by the workers, guards and drones. Bees have a very specific caste system and are highly organized.

The new world was unaccustomed to honey bees but it seemed to have everything they needed. Hollow trees were abundant in forests and savannas and made excellent hives. An amazing variety of wildflowers, grasses and flowering trees provided a smorgasbord for hungry bees. Food, water and shelter were in good supply as far as the bees were concerned.

Because escapes were uncommon, the bees always seemed to be no more than 50-100 miles away from emigrating settlers. Honeybees were know by local tribes as "the white man's flies". These stinging flies' were a sign that European descended settlers were not far behind.

Tribes that discovered the honeybee were introduced to a new taste previously unavailable. Honey is used to feed larval bees and made for great eating by people who were willing to risk a thorough stinging to get it.

Many of us are familiar with the stories about bees being able to sting only once and then they die. This is not by design and is dependant on what they sting.

Insects are more likely to encounter other insects than they are a mammal. Many insects may be predators of the bees or their honey so defense of the hive is imperative. Stinging another invertebrate is like punching a metal spike through a piece of sheet metal. Their shell is hard like body armor, and the hole you make is permanent because it does not close back in on the stinger. From a bee's perspective this is great for injecting the venom and withdrawing the stinger only to sting again if needed.

Mammals, however, do not have an exoskeleton that is hard. Instead they have a soft skin and muscle that tends to be elastic. Skin and muscle will begin to close back on an object that is piercing it. Take for example a steak that you cut up; you have to pull meat off of the fork. It will not simply fall off (unless your piece is large enough). So it is for the stinger. If a stinger pierces your skin it will not make a permanent hole that does not change shape. It will begin to regain its original shape and thus trap the stinger. If a bee pulls away it will remove its internal organs and die shortly after.

Although they can defend themselves, honey bees are not out to get you. They are insects with a very specific goal in life, and they do not like to be bothered. Respecting them will almost certainly result in a peaceful encounter.

Making wild movements to get away from or shoo the bee will only be interpreted as aggression by the bee and may encourage a defensive action. Should you actually be stung by a bee many products are available to ease the pain and swelling. Should these be unavailable, making a paste of potato or baking soda will help to counter act the venom.

Despite their defense, honey bees are generally very beneficial. By feeding on the nectar of countless flowers they actually help plants out by getting a dusting of pollen from one flower and taking it to another flower for pollination. Many orchard growers and farmers depend on the industrious pollinating honey bee to make their crops successful.

It is difficult for ecologists to determine how big an effect honey bees have on the environment in North America because there is not information about plant pollination before European settlement. It is safe to say though, that they have become a tremendous force in this nation's ecology and economics.

If anyone ever asks you what Missouri's state insect is, recall how they came here and what neat things they do, and be proud to be from Missouri!

A.J. Hendershott is an education consultant with the Missouri Department of Conservation.