Beekeeping/Robbing Behavior

Most strains of bees are super-hard-working, but they are also sensible and will take their food from easier sources than they usually favour if it is up to standard. This includes some forms of human food and sometimes brings them into conflict with us. But, some bees take this "alternative food source" thing to extremes and even rob food, i.e. honey and pollen etc. from neighbouring hives. These hives will usually defend their stocks vigorously, but not always successfully. It has also been noted that the different species of honey bees differ greatly in their tendencies to rob and their ability to defend the hive.