The flight of bees: beyond the laws of physics
The flight of bees , from a scientific point of view, has always been perceived as a mystery, due to the unbalanced relationship between wing surface and body weight. For this reason, bees are said to be able to defy the laws of physics. After careful studies, really interesting characteristics have emerged on the flight motion of these animals. Let's analyze the topic together.
Characteristics of bees
The body of bees is divided into three main parts: the head, the thorax and the abdomen. In the first we find important organs such as the eyes, antennae and mouthparts. The thorax is covered with hair that masks the segmentation of the insect. Here we find the junction of the six legs of a bee.
Finally, the abdomen is morphologically made up of 10 segments. The final ring of the latter (only in female bees) is provided with a sting.
Finally, speaking of the characteristics of bees, we certainly can't forget to mention wings . Bees have two pairs of them and we will find out later why they are so different from those of any other insect.
Wingspan and body weight
The various perplexities regarding the flight of bees have generated numerous attentions and studies towards these animals.
How does bee flight work ? Bees belong to the order of hymenoptera , in fact they are equipped with membranous wings that they use both for flying and for ventilating, in some particular conditions. The wingspan is really disproportionate based on the weight of the body since the wings are really very small and thin. From here a real mystery has arisen as to how these little creatures manage to hold themselves in the air for so long and fly from flower to flower.
Around the nineties, however, a group of Ellington researchers conducted numerous studies which then led to the resolution of the enigma. By observing the flight dynamics of the bees, the scholars discovered that the secret was hidden right there. When bees take flight , their small wings rotate in circles thus creating a kind of vortex: the low pressure area that is created on the front edge of the wing is what allows the bee to have the necessary thrust to rise and remain suspended in flight.
The flight of bees is different from all other insects
Bees have four wings . There are two on each side. A honey bee can fly up to 15 miles per hour. The surprising thing is that the flight motion of bees is different from that of any other insect. In fact, these animals are able to reach impressive vibrations. The frequency of a bee's wing beats is very high, about 230 beats per second ! This is a value that exceeds that of any other known insect. As for the wing rotation arc, it is about 90 degrees.
It's also important to remember that flying is a very important tool. Bees use it not only to move and collect nectars and but also to communicate with each other, to emit heat and to evaporate water during the process. transformation of honey . Bees are in fact able to produce particular vibrations that heat the environment and maintain the ideal temperature in the hive .
By observing bees for a long time, researchers have tried in the past to reproduce micro-aircraft for military purposes that would take inspiration from these dynamics. The aerodynamic model of bees is of great inspiration, as it differs from that of any insect by challenging the physical laws that in the past have made it scientifically impossible to take off and fly.
How high can a bee fly?
Bees tend to fly at heights of around 2-4 meters. During their movements they are able to travel long distances compared to their size. It is believed that bees can travel up to three kilometers from their hive . In reality this is a very approximate figure. In many cases the distance can be much greater. Bees try as much as possible to adapt to the conditions in which they live. In cases of food shortages they have been induced to go much further away in search of nectar. In many cases, however, their orientation has suffered some setbacks and their energies were not enough to return to the hive.
Communication flights and nuptial flight of the queen bee
The flight of bees has a very important communicative purpose. Bees use particular circular movements to exchange some information. When a bee moves in search of nectar and finds a source of food, it returns to the hive and must communicate to the rest of the swarm the exact position in which the nectar is located. To do this, the bee in question performs a particular flight in the shape of the number 8. The eight dance is used by explorer bees when the nectar sources are located at a distance greater than 25 meters. The bee moves describing an eight and swaying the abdomen. The speed of the dance also contains messages. The slow dance and the more marked movements of the abdomen indicate that the distance from food is greater. The dance also signals the position with respect to the sun . Surprising isn't it?
Flight will also play a vital role during the mating of the queen bee which occurs suspended in the air during a process called nuptial flight .
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