High-Frequency Sound Production by Honeybees

Abstract

SummarySound from four types of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) activity was analysed for high-frequency content: flying, hissing, waggle-dancing and clustering outside the hive entrance. Significant high-frequency sound was detected during each kind of activity. The high-frequency sound produced by bees outside the hive entrance at night and during the hiss response is within the hearing range of both the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella L.) and the lesser wax moth (Achroia grisella (F.)) and so may play a role in communication by affecting the behaviour of the moths.