North Carolina Bee School Practice Exam

Storing honey in capped cells is significant primarily because it indicates that the honey is mature and preserved. When bees cap the honey with beeswax, it signifies that the moisture content of the honey has been sufficiently reduced, making it stable for long-term storage. This capping serves a crucial role in preserving the honey by preventing moisture absorption from the atmosphere, thereby preventing fermentation.

Capped honey has undergone the necessary processing by the bees, which includes evaporating excess moisture and allowing natural enzymes to break down sugars, enhancing its flavor and longevity. This preservation is why capped honey can last for years, even centuries, without spoiling, making it an essential part of the bees' food storage system for survival during winter months or periods when nectar is scarce.

While the other options relate to aspects of honey storage and bee behavior, they do not accurately capture the primary significance of capping in terms of honey maturation and preservation.