时差N小时:免于蜂刺(上) Get beyond the stinger

Unless you're an entomologist or a beekeeper, beestypically inspire one thing: fear.

除非你是昆虫学者或养蜂人，否则一提到蜜蜂，映入脑中的首先可能是可怕。

But most bees are non-aggressive, and only stingwhen provoked.

但是，大多数的蜜蜂并不具备攻击性，而蜜蜂蜇人是万不得而为之!

In fact, once you get beyond the stinger, bees arepretty fascinating.

事实上，一旦你跨越了蜜蜂蜇人这道屏障，你会发现它们有着令人着迷的魔力。

For example, honeybees are great builders.

比如蜜蜂是伟大的建筑师。

Beehive construction begins withfinding a suitable site.

蜂巢建造首先从寻觅合适的搭建处开始。

Scout bees seek hollow spaces in trees and human-made structures.

侦察蜂在树木和人造结构寻找中空的空间。

Such spaces must be able to hold at least six and a half gallons, and have a small entrance thatfaces south for warmth.

这样的空间须得至少6.5加仑的空间，而且入口面朝温暖的南方。

Once they've found the perfect spot, the scouts prepare the site by clearing away loose wood orother rubbish and coat the space with a dried tree resin called propolis.

一旦找到绝佳的建造蜂巢点，侦察蜂会做好准备工作：清理掉松动的木材或其它杂物，在表层涂上被称为蜂胶的干树脂。