Quck answer
During the 2017 solar eclipse, bees stopped buzzing. Researchers found that bees were less active and quieter during the eclipse, likely due to the sudden change in light and temperature. This phenomenon was observed across the path of totality, where the eclipse was visible in its entirety. The study highlights the importance of understanding the effects of natural events on insect behavior, as bees play a crucial role in pollinating crops and maintaining ecosystems.
Wild Animals
Studies from as early as the 16th century have documented how eclipses have affected animals. In 1544, birds stopped singing during a total eclipse of the sun and fourteen years later, birds fell to the ground. In 1932, crickets chirped across northern New England when an eclipse darkened portions of New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont. Frogs also croaked. In 2017, when portions of the United States went black during the latest total solar eclipse there, bees stopped buzzing and postponed all activity until the eclipse passed.
A University of Missouri study which looked at how bees reacted during the Aug. 21, 2017, total solar eclipse found that bees stopped flying entirely and went silent during totality. Microphones hidden among flowers in specific geographic areas (Oregon, Idaho and Missouri) picked up nary a buzz. The recordings didn’t differentiate between bee species, but most bees in the study were bumble bees (Bombus) and honey bees (Apis mellifera). Interestingly, there have been only a few studies describing the behavior of insects during an eclipse.
During totality, bees stopped all activity; however, researchers found the bees were active in the moments leading up to totality and after totality. Their buzzing lasted longer, as did their flight time, suggesting the insects were flying longer and slower due to limited light, or they were heading back to their hives.
“The eclipse gave us an opportunity to ask whether the novel environmental context — mid-day, open skies — would alter the bees’ behavioral response to dim light and darkness. As we found, complete darkness elicits the same behavior in bees, regardless of timing or context. And that’s new information about bee cognition,” said Candace Galen, professor of biological sciences at the University of Missouri and lead researcher on the study.
Other studies have found that tiny, light-sensitive crustaceans and zooplankton in the ocean swam to the surface during eclipses, similar to their reactions at night. In 1991, orb weaver spiders tore down their webs.
FAQ
1. What is the connection between bees and the solar eclipse?
During the solar eclipse on August 21, 2017, researchers noticed that bees stopped buzzing and returned to their hives. This phenomenon occurred in areas where the eclipse was total or near-total, and it lasted for the duration of the event.
2. Why did the bees stop buzzing?
One theory is that the bees were tricked into thinking it was nighttime due to the sudden darkness caused by the eclipse. Bees typically return to their hives at night, so it’s possible that the eclipse triggered this instinct in them.
3. Did all bees stop buzzing during the eclipse?
No, not all bees stopped buzzing during the eclipse. The bees that were in areas where the eclipse was partial may not have been affected as much, if at all.
4. Was this the first time bees have been observed behaving differently during a solar eclipse?
No, there have been previous reports of bees and other animals exhibiting strange behavior during solar eclipses. However, the 2017 eclipse provided researchers with a unique opportunity to study this phenomenon on a larger scale.
5. What can we learn from this observation?
Studying how animals react to solar eclipses can provide insights into how they perceive and respond to sudden changes in their environment. This information can be useful for understanding animal behavior in general, as well as for studying the effects of climate change and other environmental factors.
6. Why are bees important to the environment?
Bees play a crucial role in pollinating plants, which is essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems and producing food for humans and other animals. Without bees, many plant species would become extinct, and the food chain would be disrupted.
7. What are some threats to bee populations?
Bees are facing a number of threats, including habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and disease. These factors have contributed to declines in bee populations around the world, which could have serious consequences for the environment and food security.
8. What can we do to help bees?
There are several ways that individuals can help bees, such as planting bee-friendly flowers, reducing pesticide use, and supporting local beekeepers. Governments and businesses can also take steps to protect bee habitats and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
9. What is being done to study the effects of the eclipse on other animals?
Researchers are studying the effects of the eclipse on a variety of animals, including birds, bats, and insects. By monitoring changes in behavior and physiology, scientists hope to learn more about how animals perceive and respond to sudden environmental changes.
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