\"Writing.Com
*Magnify*
◄     November     ►
SMTWTFS
     
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Archive RSS
SPONSORED LINKS
BY ONLINE AUTHORS
Printed from https://writing.com/main/books/entry_id/908367-Ball-o-Bees
Item Icon
\"Reading Printer Friendly Page Tell A Friend
(4)
Rated: E · Book · Educational · #2105953
One hundred facts that are interesting but ultimately useless.
<<< Previous · Entry List · Next >>>
#908367 added April 4, 2017 at 5:12pm
Restrictions: None
Ball o' Bees
Ball o' Bees
- biology -

​​The Japanese honeybee (Apis cerana japonica) has an unusual tactic for dealing with predatory hornets that invade their hive. Stingers are less effective against an opponent with an exoskeleton, so the honeybees will instead swarm and envelope the intruder in a "bee ball". By vibrating their muscles at high frequency, the bees cause a rapid spike in temperature (45° C / 113° F) and a massive increase in carbon dioxide levels. The combined heat and CO2 concentration will typically kill the hornet within five minutes.


#094
2 *Thumbsupl*  Like • Comment

© Copyright 2017 BD Mitchell (UN: anigh at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
BD Mitchell has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.
<<< Previous · Entry List · Next >>>
Printed from https://writing.com/main/books/entry_id/908367-Ball-o-Bees