Bees emit that famous “buzz” sound for a variety of reasons. As bees flap their wings (up to 11,400 times per minute!), the use of their wings and flight muscles creates both a sound and vibration that will vary in volume based on wing speed.
Buzzing also plays a very important role in honeybee communication. Bees communicate with various buzz sounds to signal to other bees that a threat may be present. Queen bees emit their own specific “piping” sound to let other queens in the hive know they’re there. Beekeepers should note when the buzz of their colony becomes higher pitched and louder than normal as it may indicate bees are stressed and on the defensive.
Though honeybees don’t typically use their buzz vibrations to dislodge pollen from flowers like bumblebees do, they do use buzzing to help communicate food sources to other bees. As a part of the “waggle dance”, bees will move and buzz in a way that indicates the distance and source of nectar or pollen to other foragers. (See the “Read More” section below for more on the waggle dance in honeybee pollination)
Last but certainly not least, winter bees will use their flight muscles to vibrate within their winter cluster to generate heat. This helps to ensure the queen (and colony) are able to stay warm enough to survive through the winter months.
Read More
Exploring the Process of Pollination (and the “Waggle Dance”)
How Bees Sense and React to Their World
A Deeper Look at Honeybee Anatomy *
* Colony Member-Only Content
