Summary
Bees communicate the direction and distance of food using a figure-eight dance angled to the sun.
In depth
Karl von Frisch decoded it: the angle from vertical shows the direction relative to the sun, the duration of the waggle phase shows distance. Round dances signal nearby food. Dance language shows symbolic communication in insects.
Dance followers sense vibrations and odours; recruits fly out in the indicated direction. Dances for distant food are slower, with a longer waggle run. Dances also recruit for nest sites during swarming.
Key idea: it is one of the few known examples of symbolic communication in invertebrates.
Frequently asked questions
What is Honeybee Waggle Dance?
Bees communicate the direction and distance of food using a figure-eight dance angled to the sun.
Which area of biology covers Honeybee Waggle Dance, and how advanced is it?
Honeybee Waggle Dance is one of the 53 topics in Animal Behaviour. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Behavioural Plasticity and Climate, Courtship, Animal Navigation.
Can you give an example of Honeybee Waggle Dance?
Bees correct for the sun's movement over time.
What should I learn before Honeybee Waggle Dance?
Work through the Beginner topics in Animal Behaviour first, such as Animal Behaviour, Innate Behaviour, Learned Behaviour, then return to Honeybee Waggle Dance. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
What topics are related to Honeybee Waggle Dance?
The closest topics to Honeybee Waggle Dance are Behavioural Plasticity and Climate, Courtship, Animal Navigation, Neuroethology. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Honeybee Waggle Dance?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Honeybee Waggle Dance. To practise the whole of Animal Behaviour, use the Animal Behaviour quiz.
How is Honeybee Waggle Dance different from Behavioural Plasticity and Climate?
Honeybee Waggle Dance: Bees communicate the direction and distance of food using a figure-eight dance angled to the sun. Behavioural Plasticity and Climate: Animals adjust timing and movement to changing climates, but not always fast enough. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Honeybee Waggle Dance step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Behavioural Plasticity and Climate and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Animal Behaviour quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.