What is the lifecycle stage immediately following the egg in honey bees?

The lifecycle stage that follows the egg in honey bees is the larval stage. After the queen bee lays an egg, the egg hatches into a larva approximately three days later. During the larval phase, the bee is entirely dependent on the worker bees for food and care. Worker bees feed the larvae a special diet depending on what caste they are destined to become—either queen, worker, or drone.

This larval stage is crucial for the development of the bee, as it grows significantly, shedding its skin multiple times before entering the pupal stage. Understanding this sequence is vital for beekeepers, as the health and nutrition of the larval stage can significantly influence the overall health and productivity of the hive.