During honey bee development, what does a larva do to transition into a prepupa?

The process by which a honey bee larva transitions into a prepupa involves specific behaviors and physiological changes. In this case, the correct process includes the larva defecating and then spinning a cocoon.

As the larva reaches the end of its feeding stage, it begins to clear its digestive system by defecating. This step is essential because it prepares the larva for the next stage of development. After eliminating waste, the larva then spins a protective silk cocoon around itself. This cocoon serves as a barrier that provides a safe environment as the larva undergoes significant metamorphosis during the prepupal stage and eventually transforms into a pupa.

The other options presented do not accurately describe this critical transition phase in honey bee development. For instance, feeding on pollen is something that occurs in earlier stages of development, particularly in the larval stage while still in the brood cell. Floating in water is not a natural behavior for developing larvae, as they remain in the hive and are cared for by adult bees. Similarly, migrating to another cell does not occur at this stage; the larvae typically remain in the cells they were initially placed in by the worker bees. Thus, the correct action of defecating and spinning