5 ms·

I have a fun bee story to tell. Last week I was at a small cafe with a garden at the rear where they keep some hives (set back from where customers can sit) An

I have a fun bee story to tell. Last week I was at a small cafe with a garden at the rear where they keep some hives (set back from where customers can sit) Anyway we were sitting down enjoying a coffee when we suddenly hear this loud sharp buzz sound whipping above us, and it's someone flying a small drone, doing flips etc. Two seconds later this monstreous swarm of bees emerges from their hives and basically engulfs the garden leaving everyone screaming and fleeing. It might have been a coincidence, but the owners reckoned the drone probably spooked them, the huge buzzing sound might have sounded like a hornet or some other threat

giantg2 5y ago
One theory is that loud buzzing-like noises can drown out their ability to communicate. So some of their communications are through pheromones but they also use a buzzing dance to communicate nectar locations. So the theory is that things like lawnmowers and weed eaters make it so they can't communicate and that makes them defensive. This is usually due to the volume and had to be close to the hive. It's possible the higher pitch of the drone more closely aligns with their buzzing and doesn't need to be as loud to be disruptive.