Have you ever stopped to think about the little buzzers that produce the sweet, golden substance we all love? Bees are some of the most hardworking and important insects on the planet, and there’s so much more to them than just making honey.
Here are 5 things you probably never knew about bees:
Bee Fact #1: It’s a plane, It’s a Bird…
Bees are known for their impressive flying abilities. They can reach speeds of up to 15 miles per hour and have been known to fly as far as 50 miles in a single day. This is a significant distance for such small creatures to travel. In fact, when foraging for food, bees can fly up to six times their body length per second, making them some of the fastest insects in the world. Their ability to fly long distances also allows them to pollinate a variety of plants, which is essential for the health and reproduction of many species. Overall, the impressive flying abilities of bees make them vital to the health and balance of ecosystems around the world.
Bee Fact #2: Hair, everywhere
In addition to their five eyes, bees also have special hairs on their bodies called “scopal hairs” that help them collect pollen as they fly from flower to flower. These hairs are covered in tiny scales that help to hold onto the pollen, allowing the bees to bring it back to the hive to be used as food. Bees are incredibly important pollinators, and their ability to see ultraviolet light helps them locate the flowers that are most likely to have nectar and pollen. Without bees, many plants would struggle to reproduce, and our ecosystems would be greatly impacted.
Bee Fact #3: How Old?
Are you ready for this one? Bees have been around for millions of years! In fact, they’re older than dinosaurs. And let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good buzz? They may be small, but bees sure have a big impact on our world.
Bee Fact #4: Fandom Convention has everyone dancing
Bees have their own language! Well, sort of. Bees have a series of different dances that they use to communicate with each other about the location of food or potential danger. These dances are specific and precise, allowing other bees to understand the message being conveyed. It’s like a bee-language, if you will! The waggle dance is one of the most famous of these dances, and is used to let other bees know about the location of a food source. Other dances convey different messages, such as the round dance, which is used to signal that food is close by, or the tail-wagging dance, which is used to indicate that there is a potential danger nearby. The intricate communication system of bees is truly fascinating, and is just one of the many amazing things about these incredible insects.
Bee Fact#5: With great power comes pollicization
Bees are also responsible for pollinating a third of the world’s food supply. Without bees, we wouldn’t have many of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts we enjoy on a daily basis. So, the next time you sit down to a tasty meal, be sure to thank a bee!
Want to learn more about the benefits of honey and how to incorporate it into your diet? Check out our guide, “The Beginner’s Guide to Beekeeping,” for all the tips and tricks you need to get started with your own beehive.