Bees build two-sided honeycombs. Previously, researchers thought this was mainly to make more efficient use of beeswax. But looking at the contents of all the hexagonal cells reveals that they are mirrored, scientists led by the Smith Bee Lab at Auburn University have discovered. So if there is honey in one cell, there is also honey in the cell on the other side. This is true not only for honey, but also for pollen, brood and empty cells. This symmetry occurs even when the worker bees are not in contact with each other, because the bees use temperature signals to arrange the contents of the cells.

This symmetry has the advantage that the temperature in the nest is much more constant, resulting in more brood. This is why you see symmetrical nests not only in the western honeybee, but in more species (including Apis andreniformis, Apis dorsata and Apis florea). Apart from the practicalities of symmetry, it also produces stunning pictures.