Bees, as highly social insects, rely on a system of communication to manage the demands of colony life, including finding food, defending the nest, and coordinating reproduction. This communication is not limited to a single mode but involves physical movements, chemical signals, and vibrations. These methods allow thousands of individuals to function as a unified entity, effectively sharing information about the environment and the colony’s internal state. The efficiency of this signaling network is paramount for the survival of the entire superorganism.
Communicating Location and Distance (The Dance Language)
The most renowned form of honeybee communication is the dance language, which allows successful foragers to share precise details about resource locations with their nestmates. Karl von Frisch was instrumental in deciphering this system, which conveys direction and distance. The type of dance performed is primarily determined by the distance of the food source from the hive.
When a food source is located very close to the hive, typically less than 50 meters away, the returning forager performs a Round Dance. This simple, non-directional dance involves the bee moving in a tight circle, alternating between clockwise and counter-clockwise turns. The Round Dance signals that nectar or pollen is available nearby, prompting other bees to search the immediate vicinity, but it does not provide specific directional coordinates.
For resources located farther away, the bee executes the more complex Waggle Dance, which is a figure-eight pattern that encodes both direction and distance. The central, straight run of the figure-eight is the “waggle” phase, during which the bee vigorously shakes its abdomen from side to side. The direction of this waggle run relative to the vertical surface of the honeycomb indicates the direction of the food source relative to the sun outside the hive. If the waggle run is directed straight up the comb, it means the food source is in the same direction as the sun. Distance is communicated by the duration of the waggle run—a longer waggle indicates a greater distance to the resource.
Chemical Signaling within the Colony (Pheromones)
Beyond physical movement, bees rely on chemical signals called pheromones, which regulate colony social organization and physiology. These messengers are perceived through the bees’ antennae and are categorized based on the individual producing them and the resulting effect. Pheromones are crucial for maintaining the colony’s identity and cohesion.
Queen Mandibular Pheromone (QMP)
The Queen Mandibular Pheromone (QMP) is produced by the queen’s mandibular glands. This blend of compounds serves multiple functions, including inhibiting the development of ovaries in worker bees, preventing them from laying eggs. QMP also helps maintain colony stability, attracting workers to the queen in a behavior known as the retinue response, and signaling her healthy presence to the entire hive.
Worker Pheromones
Worker bees also produce specialized pheromones, such as the Alarm Pheromone, which is released when a bee stings or is otherwise threatened. This volatile chemical quickly alerts nearby nestmates to the danger and recruits them to the defense. Another worker-produced signal is the Nasonov pheromone, which is used to mark important locations like a newly discovered food source or the entrance of the hive, helping other bees with orientation and aggregation.
Brood Pheromones
Brood Pheromones are released by the developing larvae and pupae, signaling their presence and nutritional needs. This pheromone influences the behavior of adult workers, stimulating nurse bees to feed the young and promoting pollen foraging. The concentration of this chemical signal also helps to regulate the division of labor and the overall balance of the colony’s workforce.
Vibrational and Auditory Signals
Bees use vibroacoustic communication, which involve vibrations transmitted through the honeycomb and airborne sounds. These signals serve as social cues that coordinate the activity of large groups of bees. They are distinct from the precise, directional information conveyed by the waggle dance.
Piping and Tooting
One notable signal is the “piping” or “tooting” sound, associated with virgin queen bees. An emerged queen will “toot” to announce her presence, and rival queens still within their cells will often respond with a lower-pitched “quacking” sound. These sounds are created by rapid contractions of the thoracic muscles and are transmitted as vibrations through the wax comb, influencing the behavior of workers.
Trembling Signal
Worker bees also generate a “trembling” or “shaking” signal, where a bee rapidly vibrates its body while grasping another bee or moving across the comb. This signal acts as a general alert to increase activity, often recruiting receiver bees to unload incoming nectar when foragers are returning with full loads. The trembling signal helps the colony balance its internal resources and labor needs.
General Buzzing
General buzzing and fanning sounds are a form of communication, though less specific than the other signals. These sounds are often a byproduct of wing movement used to regulate the temperature and humidity within the hive. Changes in the pitch or intensity of this ambient sound can also serve as a broad indicator of the colony’s state.