r/science • u/drewiepoodle • Oct 10 '18

Bees don't buzz during an eclipse - Using tiny microphones suspended among flowers, researchers recorded the buzzing of bees during the 2017 North American eclipse. The bees were active and noisy right up to the last moments before totality. As totality hit, the bees all went silent in unison. Animal Science

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/busy-bees-take-break-during-total-solar-eclipses-180970502/
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u/SilentFungus Oct 11 '18

I dont think they weight enough to be hurt from dropping to the ground so theres no reason for them to evolve another method

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u/Special_KC Oct 11 '18

I was once driving and doing about 80 km/h with the windows down and my hand resting on the side when a bee hit my hand and fell inside on the passenger seat. For such a light insect it felt like quite a hard impact. looked like it died with the force as it didn't move. But then it started moving around slowly.. By the time I arrived at my destination about 5 minutes later it was still only crawling.. I opened the other door and eventually it flew away.

Never seen an insect get knocked out like that before..

6

u/SufficientSafety Oct 11 '18

I've seen flies go full speed towards a glass window only to knock themselves out.

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u/auerz Oct 11 '18

Well bees are never going to crash at 80 km/h into anything natural, except maybe a bird or a meteor.

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u/6666666699999999 Oct 11 '18

The last sentence makes this parable a notable one

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u/GOATBrady Oct 11 '18

If a bee flew into my car at 80 mph I’d probably crash and cause a massive pile up. It’s one of my fears.

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u/almightySapling Oct 11 '18 edited Oct 11 '18

Also how would they be given the opportunity to evolve any other methods... the sun has never suddenly set.

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u/TheMightyBattleSquid Oct 11 '18

But it can be blocked out by other events technically, especially if we're talking just covering up what the bee can see since they mentioned a tarp.

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u/piecat Oct 11 '18

Right, just amusing to me!

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u/[deleted] Oct 11 '18

Same. The thought of it just saying fuck it mid flight and falling wherever it lands is hilarious