New research published in Communications Biology and reported by Michigan State University shows how honeybees move across the water surface and how that movement helps them find shore. Scientists observed that wing undersides become wet and cannot create lift, while the flight motor continues to drive wing motion. That motion produces a hydrofoil-like effect, creating waves behind the bee that push it forward.
In experiments, individual bees were placed in a shallow bowl of water with a dark section along the edge. Most honeybees consistently moved toward the dark area rather than around the bowl at random. Researchers call this skototaxis, the tendency to orient toward darker visual cues, which likely signals land or vegetation.
The team also tested the insecticide thiamethoxam. Bees exposed to it lost their dark preference, moved more randomly, took longer routes, and made many more turns. The researchers interpret this pattern as reduced motor control rather than a loss of visual orientation. Comparisons with mason bees showed that this solitary species had an even stronger dark preference; female mason bees reached the edge faster and travelled shorter distances.
Difficult words
- skototaxis — movement toward darker visual cues or areas
- hydrofoil-like effect — water force created by wings that pushes forward
- insecticide — chemical used to kill or control insects
- motor control — ability to move body parts in a controlled way
- orient — turn or move to face a direction
- preference — a stronger choice for one thing over othersdark preference
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Discussion questions
- Why might a dark area along the edge signal land or vegetation to a bee?
- How could reduced motor control affect a bee in the wild? Give one or two examples.
- What actions could people take to reduce harm to bees from insecticides near water or gardens?
