Did you know that bees are not only the most determined and diligent workers in nature, but also amazing "dancers"? But unlike us humans, these cute movements of bees certainly do not serve an artistic or entertainment purpose. So, what could be the truths behind the "bee dance"?
While surfing documentary channels, you must have come across programs with the theme of bee life. But have you ever encountered these tiny creatures performing rhythmic and aesthetic movements that are sometimes awe-inspiring? Yes, as hard as it may be to believe, our most loyal friends in nature can do this too! And these interesting movements of bees are aptly called "bee dance". But why do bees dance? Have you ever wondered? Although this important question is still curious to many, the answer was already given many years ago by Zoologist Karl Von Frisch! Moreover, Frisch won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1973 for shedding light on this great mystery.
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Who is Karl Von Frisch? Karl Von Frisch was a famous German-Austrian zoologist (animal scientist) who lived between 1886 and 1982. Frisch, whose area of expertise was Ethology (Animal Behavior Science), dedicated his life to animal behaviors, which he was passionate about since childhood. In 1905, he enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Vienna, but left the department three years later to pursue zoology. After completing his doctorate in Zoology in 1910, he conducted important studies on fish, insect species, and especially bees. He spent a large part of his life studying bee behaviors, and specifically one of these behaviors, the "Waggle Dance". |
We owe so much to Frisch for his contributions to science – and even more so to nature... Why? Before learning that, we need to delve into the interesting details of the bee dance!
1. WHAT IS THE BEE DANCE?
The bee dance refers to the set of behaviors performed by worker bees bringing nectar and pollen to the hive, in order to communicate with other worker bees and guide them. However, this is certainly not the only answer to the question "How do bees communicate?" In general, these creatures, which communicate with each other through pheromones (natural chemical substances spread by scent), perform the bee dance mostly when they discover food sources or suitable nesting conditions.
2. WHY DO BEES DANCE?
We briefly touched upon the purposes of the bee dance just above. Now it's time to go into detail: As most of us know, female worker bees constantly collect nectar and pollen during their active periods (spring-summer) to feed themselves and their young. The food they collect is stored in the comb cells by the bees in the hive to produce honey, bee bread, etc., for times when these substances are not available in nature.
Since they feed on plants, bees are naturally and vitally affected by adverse environmental conditions. Therefore, at the core of the bee dance, there is a need for cooperation among individuals due to the social life observed in bee colonies. In this way, bees expend less energy to collect food, while also saving time. This allows for a much more efficient production process for the nutrition of the entire colony.
3. WHAT ARE THE FORMS OF BEE DANCE?
Bee dance types, according to Frisch's discoveries, are divided into two: circular/round dance and the figure-eight "Waggle Dance".
3.1. THE CIRCULAR DANCE OF BEES
A bee performing a circular dance on the honeycomb tells other bees watching it that the food source is within a 100-meter radius. However, in doing so, it does not give a precise location including direction and distance information. In contrast, the waggle dance provides clearer messages in bee communication to convey the exact location and abundance of the food source. Whether circular or figure-eight... Bees also perform dance movements on swarms (new colony areas) in some cases. While a bee provides information about a food source through the dance it performs on the honeycomb in the hive, the dance it performs on a swarm describes the coordinates and suitability of the nest site.
3.2. THE WAGGLE DANCE OF BEES
Bees do not essentially have a part or organ called a tail. However, the figure-eight movements made by the abdomen of the worker bee bringing food are called the "Waggle Dance". The Waggle Dance is performed on a vertical line created on the honeycomb. Thanks to the angle it forms between the hive, the sun, and the food source, the bee can indicate the direction of the food source (which side the food is on). The duration of the bee's waggle indicates the distance of the food source from the hive. According to Frisch's observations, a 1-second waggle duration means the food source is 1 km away; an angle of 60 degrees indicates that the food source is 60 degrees relative to the sun and the hive. The persistent continuation of the dance is an indicator of the richness of the food source!
Note: Frisch proved the accuracy of all this information about bee dance through countless experiments. He conducted his observations using "observation hives," which were made of glass on both sides, allowing all bee behaviors to be fully monitored. Observation hives consisted of small queenless colonies with 1-2 frames. For his experiment, Frisch placed feeding dishes full of bait around the observation hives, in different terrains, directions, and distances.
4. THE DANCE OF BEES GUIDES ECOLOGICAL STUDIES!
Bees and their dances also provide very useful information for humans today. Because, as proven, a dancing bee does this to bring more efficient pollen or nectar to the colony. The bee's ability to perform this task and dance is directly proportional to the presence of natural vegetation around the apiary. This shows us that if there are bees, there is a healthy environment and a habitable ecosystem for all living things.
Today, by analyzing nectar, pollen, and propolis samples collected by bees, the level of environmental pollution can be determined. In addition, ecological studies such as monitoring lost or endangered plant species can be carried out. In this context, if bees are dancing, and even if they can continue their dances persistently, this indicates that the region is full of plants and life. Despite the global decline and deaths of bees, the existence of bees that can still dance is a source of hope for us... A sign that not all is lost…
Bees are so good, may they always be!
Dr. Ali İhsan Öztürk,
Agricultural Engineer, Apiculture Expert
Balparmak Apiculture Academy Education Consultant
