Which gland in honey bees produces beeswax?

The gland responsible for producing beeswax in honey bees is located on the abdomen, specifically known as the wax glands. These glands, which are found in worker bees, secrete wax in small scales. Worker bees produce beeswax as they mature and after they have consumed sufficient honey, which provides the energy required for wax production. The scales excreted from these glands are then chewed and molded by the bees to construct honeycomb structures within the hive.

Beeswax is crucial for various hive functions, including brood rearing and storing honey and pollen, making the wax glands essential for maintaining a healthy colony. Other options do not contribute to wax production in bees. For example, salivary glands are primarily involved in processing and manipulating nectar, while pheromone glands are involved in communication within the colony. The honey stomach serves the purpose of storing nectar before it is transferred to the hive but does not play any role in wax production. Therefore, the wax glands on the abdomen are the distinct and dedicated source for beeswax in honey bees.