Here’s a Lesson in Kindness From the Insect World

It’s estimated that roughly 90% of the world’s plants depend on bees’ survival. Bees are the world’s most significant pollinators and are vital to our ecosystem. These tiny insects excel as a colony, always knowing when and how to help a fellow worker. This video by sararussellphotography shows worker bees not only helping a bee in trouble but also helping one that does not belong to their own colony. Is this proof that all bees are humanitarians at heart?

A Bee in Need

Bees communicate exceptionally well within their colonies. They use a variety of signals that depend on the situation. Some of these include:

• Pheromones: Anyone who’s been stung by a bee is familiar with this warning signal. Bees emit pheromones called “alarm pheromones” that indicate danger is nearby. This chemical signal alerts the other bees to a potential threat. This is why one bee or wasp in danger usually attracts others.
• Stop Signal: This unique signal halts other bees in their tracks. When one bee senses danger, it sends a stop signal to stop all colony movement. It’s an effective way to prevent bees from flying into a predator and keeps the hive safe.
• Vibrations: This signal is used within the colony to communicate with other bees. The buzzing and vibration we hear are actually communications between insects. In the hive, bees do the same thing to alert others of a threat. This includes physical signals, like bumping against one another to get their attention.

When a bee sends any of these signals, bees of the same colony rush to its aid. This help extends to life-or-death situations like the bee in this video. Caretaking is one job workers bees have in the hive as they work as one unified collective. However, this usually only applies to bees in the same colony, which is why the video above is so unique.

What About a Bee From Another Hive?

Bees typically only help out another bee from a different hive for one reason. If the bee is healthy and could be a good worker, they’ll accept it as their own. Outside of this scenario, combining hives is only done by professional beekeepers. This could explain why the bees in this video helped a stranger. Since they are kept in an apiary, they could be more comfortable helping an unknown member of another colony.

In the wild, bees are more prone to aggression. They defend their hives at all costs, and hives even have guards that protect the entrance. These guards aim to attack any foreign intruder, whether it’s a bee or another insect. Their ultimate goal is to protect the queen and their honey production. Since these bees are kept in an apiary, it could explain their unusual behavior. Protecting bees is intrinsic to their nature, so knowing how to help a bee in distress is instinctual.