The Waggle Dance

Contrary to what most believe, bees do not go out and wander from flower to flower to collect nectar or pollen. They are much more organized.

Only 2% of foragers wander to find food sources. Once they find a good one, they rush back to the hive to tell others.  They communicate the distance, size and quantity of food available by shaking their booty. This is called the waggle dance.

The dance is done in a figure 8. They start by going straight ahead, waggling their butts, then turn in a semi circle to return to the initial point repeatedly, alternating sides.  The straight line is always done in the direction of the source compared to the position of the sun. The longer the line, the further away from the hive. The number of figure 8 cycles gives out the size of the food source and the vigor of the waggling how much food is available.  While they dance, they stop regularly to pass out sample of the food to spectators. Foragers who feel this is the best available go out and fetch more to bring back home.  

They will fetch only this source as long as it is available and accepted by workers. Bees inside the hive that store the nectar or pollen, in time of abundance, always choose the best. Therefore it may happen that meantime richer source is found and an older source consenquently refused. The forager stuck with her stock will then find an ongoing waggle dance to fetch a new food source.

Isn't this amazing?!?!!