Have you ever heard of a bee “twerking?” While it may sound strange, there are moments when bees appear to do just that. This Instagram post by @explaininginsects shows a bee moving its abdomen in a circular motion, almost like it’s twerking. However, it is actually a form of communication with other bees. Read here to learn more about this funny way of communicating!
A Bombus terrestris, the buff-tailed bumblebee or large earth bumblebee, feeds on the nectar of pink flowers.
©SanderMeertinsPhotography/Shutterstock.com
How Do Bees Communicate?
The bee in the video above seems to be a bumblebee, given its coloring and fluffy fur. There are many ways that bumblebees communicate with each other, such as through physical contact, pheromones, and vibrations. As seen in the video, physical communication is one of the most straightforward ways for bees to convey messages, but what exactly is the bee communicating? When a bumblebee moves excitedly after returning from foraging, it may be signaling the presence of food to other bees. However, unlike honeybees, bumblebees do not perform the waggle dance, which communicates precise direction and distance. Their movements may alert others to the presence of food, but they do not provide detailed navigational information. So, while it may look like the bee is twerking, it is actually just excited about finding a good food source.
Pheromones and vibration are two other ways that bees communicate. As with other animals and insects, bees release different pheromones for different purposes. Bumblebees release pheromones through their antennae. These pheromones signal to other worker bees that they should leave the nest to forage or help bring the hive together. Vibration is another fascinating way they communicate. By vibrating their wings or bodies, bees can send messages about location, danger, or other activities. One well-known example of bee communication is the waggle dance, which honeybees use to indicate the location of food sources. However, bumblebees do not perform the waggle dance; their communication methods are different. By using all these communication methods, bees are able to work together to maintain their hives.
