Bees have been a source of fascination for people around the world for many centuries. Their buzzing sound and conspicuous yellow and black stripes have made them a symbol of not only nature, but also of hard work. But how much do you really know about these lovable little pollinators? Here are 10 surprising facts about bees that you never knew.
1. Unusual Behaviour: The Fascinating Facts about Bees
Bees are a fascinating and mysterious species. What is known about bees is that, for the most part, they behave in predictable ways. But what about when bees show unusual behavior?
Dancing Bees
Whenever bee colonies are searching for a new home, scout bees will return to the colony and ‘dance’ for the other bees. This dance is a complex combination of wiggles and circles that gives directions of the exact location, size and type of food source. Fascinatingly, the dance will even specify how to get to the food source.
Detective Bees
When the member of a bee colony dies, the other bees become suspicious. To make sure that the hive is safeguarded from predators, other bees will be called in to investigate the dead bee. They’ll sniff and prod the body in order to take note of any strange activity that may be a danger to the other bees. If a predator is located, the investigative bees will use their formic acid to repel it.
Defensive Bees
For the safety of the hive, worker bees will commit uncommon acts of bravery. bees can actually use their stingers as a weapon to fend off potential danger. The female bees actually have the ability to use their stingers multiple times. However, if they do so, they will die afterwards.
Bees have evolved incredibly to provide for themselves and keep the colony safe. From the dancing scout bees, to the detective and defensive bees, bees’ behaviour remains as fascinating as ever.
2. A Buzzing Fascination: 10 Surprising Things You Didn’t Know about Bees
1. They Love Patterns: Bees are attracted to patterns, so when flowers are in bloom, they use the shape, size, and arrangement of the petals to create a mental map for visiting flowers for a quick nectar gathering. But as fascinating as this is, it doesn’t stop there. Flies that pose a threat to bee colonies form a target-shaped pattern in the mind of a bee, sending them into a defensive frenzy.
2. Communicating Through Dance: The waggle dance is the method bees use to tell one another where to find flowers with the most pollen and nectar. Demonstrated in a figure 8 (or infinity) pattern, their dancing tells the other bees the direction and distance to the food source relative to the sun.
3. Queen Status: One queen bee rules the hive; a female that’s larger than the other bees, and up to 20 times larger than a worker bee. The Queen’s lifespan could be up to 5 years, while worker bees survive for just 5 to 6 weeks.
4. Division of Labour: Bees are incredible at delegating tasks and tasks are usually divided among the gender lines.
- Male drones make up roughly 10 – 15% of the colony and their one and only job is to fertilize the queen
- Worker bees (female) are the ones busy out in the field making honey
- The queen, as mentioned earlier, is in charge of all the egg laying
3. Bee Predation: The Effects of Predators on the Bee Population
The bee population, which includes both honey bees and wild bees, are facing a serious challenge in the form of predation. Predators come in many shapes and sizes from birds to mammals, but the majority of predation of bees is from their own species: the insect.
Insect Predators
Insect predators can have a devastating effect on bee populations by feeding on bee larvae and nectar. The most common threat to bee populations is the parasitic wasp, which can lay eggs or inject venom into bee larvae, killing them before they can emerge as adult bees. Other aggressive predators also predate on bees, such as Crabronid Wasps, Assassin Bugs, and some predatory flies.
The number of predators, such as parasitic wasps, can rise dramatically in areas with large bee populations, making it increasingly difficult for bees to survive and reproduce.
Harmful Effects
- A decrease in the number of bees available for pollination, which can negatively impact agricultural production.
- A decrease in the amount of nectar and pollen available to other species, such as birds and bats.
- An increase in the amount of insecticide use, which may be harmful to other species as well as the environment.
The effects of predation on bee populations can be minimized by providing habitats that are more hospitable to bees. This includes planting native flowers and trees, which provide food and shelter for bees, as well as providing shelter for bee larvae.
4. The Pollinators of Paradise: How Bees Help Improve the Planet
Bees are essential for the ecosystem. These busy little beauties are some of the most important pollinators around. Pollination is vital to the health of plants and foods, and bees are far from the only pollinators—but they are among the most crucial! From the busy honeybees all the way to the lesser hummingbird moths, these pollinators help ensure that the planet remains in a healthy balance, and that humans’ food supply is secure.
Without pollinators like bees, many desirable foods would simply cease to exist. Fruits and vegetables, legumes and nuts, even seedless grapes, can all be enjoyed because of efficient and reliable pollinators. Even the chocolate that many love and adore is partly reliant on their buzzing counterparts.
The world’s healthiest ecosystems rely on pollinators. Those ecosystems lock in carbon dioxide and stop climate change from getting worse. In other words, by relying on pollinators, humans are protecting their planet from more serious disasters.
Here are just a few of the ways that bees help improve the planet:
- They help create a more biodiverse planet
- They provide us with food and fuel
- They help sustain the environment
- Their activities keep ecosystems in balance
No matter where you live, the biodiversity on the planet is improved when pollinators are present. Honeybees and bumblebees play a significant role in this process, and they show us how our actions are affecting the planet. We should take every measure to make sure that our precious pollinators have a healthy, safe place to make their homes.
5. The Sweetest Sustenance: How Honeybees Produce Delicious Honey
The production of honey by honeybees is nothing short of amazing. These little flying insects have an awesome process that transforms blooms of nectar from various flowers into the sugary substance that we use to sweeten our tea or spread on our toast.
The honeybee begins with a special taste test by collecting two different kinds of nectar: one that is high in sugar, and one that has a more complex taste. The bee punctures the flower with her proboscis, extracting a sample. Her receptors detect the nuance in the flavor, and she retains one of the samples in her crop to be taken back to her hive. This is repeated along her flowery journey.
- Step 1: Digestion – Upon arrival, the bee’s crop releases the nectar and it is digested. Here, the process of breaking down the nectar into simpler molecules begins.
- Step 2: Deposit – The honeybee then deposits the sweet liquids into a honeycomb, where it is stored.
- Step 3: Evaporation – The evaporation process begins; water is removed to form a thicker syrup.
- Step 4: Capping – When the syrup get thick enough, the honeycomb cells are sealed to preserve their syrupy goodness.
The production of honey thus begins and ends with the wonderful honeybees. Beyond our breakfasts, honey used for medicinal purposes throughout the world, demonstrating the vital role that honeybees play in our culture.
6. Social Savviness: Inside the Complex Society of Bee Colonies
The complex society of bees is truly remarkable. They display social behavior that would usually be found among much larger animals, and can offer insight into understanding our own societies. It is essential to understand the roles each bee plays in a bee colony to appreciate their complexity and impressive organization.
- Queen: The Heart of the Hive
- Workers: Gatherers and Caretakers
- Drone Bees: Reproductives of the Hive
The Queen bee is the mother of the entire colony, laying up to 2,000 eggs every day. Her primary goal is to expand the colony, and she is often the only bee in the nest, surrounded by the many workers she commands. Worker bees are the primary caregivers and foragers of the hive, and spend their time collecting nectar and pollen, producing wax and honey, and gardening and looking after the larvae of the hive. Finally, Drone bees are the reproductive members of the hive, they are solely concerned with mating with potential queen bees.
Bees have co-existed with other species for many centuries, and their sophisticated communication and organization has allowed them to survive in a variety of climates and habitats. Their highly developed social structure is truly remarkable and is part of what makes the creatures so special.
7. Working Wonders: The Unbelievable Efforts of Bees Everywhere
Bees are an essential part of our ecosystems, and they need our protection. From the honey they produce, to the pollination they complete, their amazing efforts ensure the survival of countless plants and animals. To fully appreciate their work, let’s take a closer look at how these hard-working creatures work wonders for us and our environment.
- Pollination: One of the most important duties of the bee is pollination. They gather nectar from flowers and spread pollen around, enabling the plants to reproduce. Without this vital service, no flowers or fruits would appear, leading to huge imbalances in the food chain and environment.
- Honey production: Bees are also essential for honey production. Honey is made from the nectar bees collect from flowers. This sweet and versatile treat is packed with nutrients and minerals, such as magnesium, potassium, and zinc. It’s a great ingredient for cooking and baking, as well as many home remedies.
- Climate-friendly: Bees are one of the most climate-friendly animals we have. They help to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change. This is because they pollinate plants more efficiently and require hardly any energy to do so. Planting bee-friendly flowers and letting them do their job is one of the most helpful things anyone can do.
Bees are truly incredible creatures, and we must remember their vital role in our environment. Without their hard work, we couldn’t enjoy the fruits and sweet treats we’re so fortunate to have. So, it’s important that we take extra steps to protect these working wonders everywhere we can.
8. A Perfect Partnership: The Relationship Between Bees and Humans
The relationship between bees and humans can be traced back thousands of years. Even the Egyptians were aware of the interdependence between the two species – the bees supplying honey and wax and humans providing the conditions necessary for bees to thrive.
Bees are essential to the propagation of human food crops; about one-third of the food humans eat is dependent on pollination from bees. In addition to pollinating plants, bees also produce honey, which is a versatile and healthy food for humans. The beeswax found in hive walls has a wide variety of uses, including medicinal, cosmetic, and manufacturing applications.
Humans can show their appreciation for bees by planting bee-friendly flowers and shrubs in the garden and by using fewer or no pesticides on food and flowers. A hive stocked with healthy bees is an investment that pays off:
- Bees Strengthen Human Systems – Honey and beeswax provide natural sweeteners and a renewable resource, respectively.
- Bees Increase Crop Yields – Healthy bee populations ensure that crops will grow in abundance.
- Bees Produce Medicinal Compounds – Honey, bee pollen, propolis, and other bee-derived compounds are used for healing.
Bees and humans share an unprecedented symbiotic bond that has been beneficial for both species throughout the ages. Whether providing crops, food, or other natural products, bees are an indispensable part of the partnership that is essential for the continued prosperity of humans.
Did you know that bees are fascinating creatures? After reading this article, it’s clear that there’s much more to learn about these busy little bees. So take the opportunity to explore and discover even more about the incredible and mysterious world of bees!
