A few days ago, I saw a cluster of bees (Apis dorsata) grouped together sitting/hovering over the steps right in front of a halogen lamp. The steps were dry and the surrounding temperatures were around 27 degrees. Were these bees getting attracted to the light just like the moths?
It is not attraction per say. Insect is probably using the moon and stars for navigation and they are confused by lamp light. The problem is that moon and stars does not change the position when they move, because they are too far, but lamps are much closer to them and therefore they always end up next to them.
It is not attraction per say. Insect is probably using the moon and stars for navigation and they are confused by lamp light. The problem is that moon and stars does not change the position when they move, because they are too far, but lamps are much closer to them and therefore they always end up next to them.
Parasitized Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are attracted to light. See:
Article A New Threat to Honey Bees, the Parasitic Phorid Fly Apoceph...
Yes. A. dorsata bees are attracted to the lamps. This way I attracted also A. laboriosa in the Hymalyas to auto lamps
http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/14-0468.1 This publication may provide some interesting piece of information to you. Its regarding insects attraction towards led lights and its negative impact on ecosystem. Have a interesting time ahead.
http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/14-0468.1
See Verheijen F.J. (1958) The mechanisms of the trapping effect of artificial light sources upon animals. Archs néerll. Zool 13; 1-107 and Verheijen, F.J. (1969) Angular radiance distribution and level of photic orientation. XI Int. Ethol.Conf.: Paper 133.
"The large Oriental bee, Apis dorsata is more frequently caughton light nights apparently because it flies more readily in moon light" - Source Tropical Rain Forest Ecosystem: Biogeographical and Ecological studies Edited by H.Leith and M.J.A. Werger
I guess that insects can be attracted to any salient landmark (including a light source) in case if they don't know where to move. For example, once I disturbed the nest of Paravesprula germanica at night. Vasps emerged from the nest, but didn't noticed me and fiercely attacked the lamp placed by the nest. They even tried to sting it. However, vasps paid no attention to the lamp before I disturbed them.
Insect generally oriented to light source, but it worth mentioning that you notice them congregate at halogen lamp, may be it is a kind of drift I do not know how many are crowded? is it swarm or just a few number.
Apis dorsata is regulary active during night. We have seen many specimens attracted to light in Borneo-Sabah Danum Valley. Even during the night walks in the rain forests many bees were attracted to our head lights.But we could not see any flower visits during night.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Zoology
- Invertebrate Zoology
- Entomology