A honeybee can certainly die when submerged in its own product, a sticky substance that serves as the colony’s primary food source. The simple answer is yes, but the mechanism is not the same process as drowning in water. Death occurs due to suffocation caused by the unique physical properties of honey interacting with the bee’s respiratory system. This outcome is a direct consequence of the stark differences between water and the highly concentrated sugar solution bees create.
The Critical Difference Between Honey and Water
Honey possesses physical properties that make it uniquely hazardous compared to water. Its most significant trait is its extremely high viscosity, which is a measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow. Water has a viscosity of approximately 1 centipoise, while honey can be up to 10,000 times thicker, especially when cold.
This thickness is due to the high sugar concentration, as finished honey contains only about 18% water, compared to nectar’s 70-80% water content. These concentrated sugars result in powerful intermolecular forces, making honey dense and extremely sticky. Honey is also about 1.5 times denser than water, causing a small insect to struggle significantly to escape the substance.
How Bees Use Spiracles for Respiration
Bees possess a respiratory system entirely unlike that of mammals. They breathe through a network of tracheal tubes that branch throughout their bodies to deliver oxygen directly to their tissues. The external openings of this system are small, paired holes called spiracles, positioned along the bee’s thorax and abdomen.
Honeybees have ten pairs of these spiracles, which function as sophisticated valves that can open and close. This valve-like control is important for regulating airflow and conserving moisture within the insect’s body. The spiracles lead into the tracheae and air sacs, creating a direct pathway for gas exchange without relying on a circulatory system to transport oxygen.
The Mechanism of Drowning in Honey
The mechanism of death for a bee submerged in honey is physical occlusion, or suffocation, rather than water drowning. When a bee falls into honey, the substance’s high viscosity and density immediately coat the insect’s body. The honey’s extreme thickness causes it to easily seep into and completely seal the minute spiracle openings.
Once the spiracles are sealed by the sticky, sugar-rich film, the bee is prevented from performing gas exchange. The bee can no longer draw in oxygen or expel carbon dioxide, leading to asphyxiation. This outcome is highly probable in scenarios like large honey spills or when a bee becomes trapped in a deep, uncapped honey storage cell within the hive.
Prevention and Practical Rescue Methods
Beekeepers can minimize the risk of bees getting stuck by carefully handling honey-laden frames and quickly cleaning up spills, especially during extraction. Ensuring that supers are removed from the hive promptly also reduces the chance of bees becoming trapped in excess honey.
If a bee is found struggling, it can be rescued by gently lifting it with a thin stick, a blade of grass, or a piece of thin paper, avoiding direct contact. Avoid the instinct to wash the bee in water, as a wet bee is unable to fly and can quickly chill.
Once the bee is removed from the bulk of the honey, place it on a safe, dry surface, such as a sunny leaf or a paper towel, near the hive entrance. The bee will then attempt to clean itself, and other colony members may assist in removing the sticky residue. Allowing the bee to dry and clean its own respiratory pores is the best chance for survival.