Some Asian Giant Honeybees work as synchronized “fanners” to keep certain areas of the hive cooler than others. The findings show that very social species can, when acting in unison, become a superorganism that functions like a single animal.
Asian giant honeybees (Apis dorsata) build their nests in the open which makes them prone to seasonal day/night temperature changes, and has them facing exposure to sun, wind and rain. To combat such problems, the singular comb is covered on both sides with multilayers of worker bees, termed the ‘bee curtain’. The inner bees within the curtain stretch their limbs against the comb, expanding the inner nest area where the queen and brood are. This expansion lowers the hive’s internal pressure and draws in cool fresh air. When the bees relax the curtain bugs the comb again, forcing warm, state air out.
The bee superorganism is perhaps most impressive when the nest is under attack. In a flash, the bee curtain opens up in preparation for the mass release of flying ‘guards’.
Picture Credit : Google
