Bees are known for their constant buzz as they flit from flower to flower. But what happens when the day suddenly turns to night during a total solar eclipse? You might be surprised to learn that bees go silent
Researchers set up tiny microphones near flowers during the 2017 eclipse that swept across the United States. They wanted to see if the bees’ buzzing would change as the sunlight dimmed.
The recordings showed that the bees were active and buzzing right up until the moment of totality, the brief period when the moon completely blocks the sun. Then, as totality hit and the world plunged into an eerie darkness, the bees all fell silent in unison.
This unexpected behavior suggests that bees rely on sunlight to regulate their activity. It’s almost as if they think the sun has set and decide to call it a day!
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