The Scout Bee is a worker bee that has several specialized functions. First, the Scout Bee searches the area surrounding the hive for sources of pollen, nectar and propolis. Although the Scout may travel many miles in search of flowers, the average foraging radius is usually only a few hundred meters. When the Scout Bee finds a good source of food, she travels back to the hive and gives the foraging collector bees the information. The collectors then go out and gather the food. Five to thirty five percent of the foragers serve as Scouts Bees, depending on the conditions.
Another responsibility of the Scouts comes when the population of the hive grows too big in size to house everybody in the hive. At that time, another Queen Bee is hatched, and half of the hive follows her to a new location, where a new hive is constructed. The Scout Bees are responsible for finding a suitable location to build their new home. One of the great mysteries of nature is: how does the Scout Bee communicate the information that is so valuable to the survival of the hive?