Honeybees and Electric Pollution: A Growing Concern
Honeybees may use an electric sense to locate nectar-rich flowers
proxyminder/Getty Images
Electric signals from power lines have been found to deter bees from landing on nearby flowers, raising concerns about the impact of “electric pollution” on insect behavior.
Recent studies have shown that both bumblebees and honeybees possess the ability to detect and respond to airborne electric fields, often generated by natural sources of static electricity. These electric fields are sensed through specialized hairs or antennae. Research has indicated that honeybees utilize electro-reception as a form of communication, with both honeybees and bumblebees potentially using this ability to locate flowers rich in nectar.
