The hexagonal shape of the cells of the bees honeycomb has intrigued
laypeople and scientists for ages.
Why do bees build this kind of cells?
How can they achieve such a spectacular structure?
Early natural philosophers, like Marcus Terentius Varro,
based on the observation that
hexagons possess the highest surface/perimeter ratio,
compared to other polygons that can be used for tiling the plane,
suggested that honey bees build their hexagonal cells in order to achieve
the best economy of material.
Scientific Reports
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