BEES’ EXPRESSION (WAGGLE DANCE)
BY
PETER M. I. PETERS
Group of individuals of bee-keepers were convinced that bees could communicate with one another, and pass on information about rich sources of nectar. This belief has now been confirmed beyond doubt as a result of patient observation, the marking of bees with minute spots of paint, and the use of glass-fronted hives.
The work of the Austrian, Karl Von Frisch, and his colleagues has revealed some fascinating information. It is known, for example, that a worker-bee which has discovered some fresh flowers rich in nectar close to the hive, will immediately return to it and perform a circular dance known as waggle dance, either on the honeycomb or on the landing-platform outside the hive. While she dances, she exudes drops of nectar. This seems to excite her fellow-workers, and they set out eagerly to help bring in the treasure. The circular dance tells only that nectar is to be found near to home, and gives no clue to its direction.
When the newly-discovered flowers are a greater distance away, an even more remarkable dance is performed. This follows a figure-of-eight pattern, and is accompanied by much wriggling of the abdomen. The manner in which this dance is performed not only gives the direction of the flowers in relation to the position of the sun, but also the distance from the hive at which they are to be found. If they are fairly close to the hive, the dance is performed very rapidly. If they are some kilometers away, it is performed very slowly.
It does not matter whether the dance is performed inside the hive or out, or even whether the sun is obscured by clouds. The bees seem able to estimate its position exactly, to allow for its movement across the sky, and to fly unerringly to the flowers concerned.
EXPRESSION – a systematic means of communicating ideas or feelings by the use of conventionalized signs, sounds, gestures, or marks having understood meanings.
