Beekeepers Face Freezing Cold Front

We have all witnessed bee activity in our yard, on a walk, or elsewhere. The number of bees we see must be an indicator of the bees we don't see because most bees are back in the hive, tending to the queen and baby brood. It may seem like a stark contrast when you see a bumblebee's distinct stripes against a colorful flower, but have beekeepers interfered with bees' natural ability to camouflage in the wild?

There is not much research about bee camouflage, and it is widely thought that bee markings warn off predators, although not everyone agrees. Some believe that bee stripes are their camouflage in the wild, and if they keep predators at bay, that is a bonus.

Beekeepers Observing Bees Adapt to the Environment

Bees are among the most adaptable pollinators in existence. Bees used for studying have been documented as changing their colors slightly to blend in with their surroundings, which would explain why different species of bees have different strip patterns and colors. The different nesting locations, along with sheds and decking that may alter the bee's surroundings, could be influencing the colors of bees' stripes.

A casual observation study of bees by a local beekeeper showed that bees tend toward locations where they blend better. What this means is that bees of the same species will forage in the same area, and it almost appears as if they color match themselves with their background. Is this a stretch to think bees instinctively choose to forage in locations that are a good color match for their bodies? You decide.

Camouflage Techniques of Bees

Bees seem to be able to stay off the radar of many predators, and their ability to change their coloring is quite impressive. The coloration of bees, even when stripes are distinct to the human eye, can be difficult for predators to see against a variety of foraging backgrounds. Bees are also able to use their wings to blur the lines of their bodies, making it impossible for predators to find them with enough confidence to attack. Bees may also use their raised bodies to threaten predators, warning them off with the threat of a painful sting.

Chemical camouflage is used by bees because plants can release smells that trick predators and help bees avoid detection. The smells plants emit equip bees to blend in with their surroundings. Many animals change their scent in different environments to be less tempting to predators.

Bumble bees have fuzzy bodies that act as camouflage because it makes the outline of their bodies more difficult to distinguish for those on the hunt. Iridescence is another camouflage method bees may use, and the color changing glimmer can be just enough to send a predator on their way.

Bees and Color

People naturally connect bees with colors, and rightly so. Beekeepers learn this early on—beekeeping suits aren't bright pink—they are white!

Bees use color to identify food and find flowers to pollinate, which is why if you dress to keep bees disinterested, you should avoid bright colors and heavy perfumes. Bees’ sense of smell is incredible and responsible for many hive-making decisions, including when it is time to groom a new queen. There is some debate about whether bees are more driven by scent or color, but both have been shown to affect bee behaviors.

According to scientists, bees are most attracted to purple, violet, and blue and are thought to have supernatural color vision. This means that when bees land, they may be well aware of where they perch, and the fact that they have been observed in areas that are better camouflaged supports the idea that bees intentionally use camouflage as they forage.