MinutePhysics

Bee Communication Is Weirder Than You Think

Bees use a sophisticated communication system called the waggle dance to inform other worker bees about new nectar sources. Unlike communal insects that use pheromone trails, bees, which fly long distances, convey information through choreography. The direction of the dance indicates the patch's direction relative to the sun, the duration of waggling signals the distance, and the intensity conveys the patch's promise. This complex movement essentially provides map coordinates with a review, and a bee might repeat it up to 50 times in the dark hive, with other workers following by touch. Surprisingly, up to 93% of the time, workers observe these dances but don't immediately follow the directions. This is because most workers are experienced foragers with known patches, and there's a risk of getting lost or following incorrect or overestimated information. Instead, a bee analyzes the information, weighing the risks of exploring the unknown against sticking with familiar sources. They often pass on suggestions unless their usual spots are empty, such as in early spring, late fall, or after a storm, or if multiple bees provide the same positive information about a new patch. Thus, while not always acted upon immediately, the information from waggle dances becomes part of the hive's communal knowledge.