High-tech comb increases their chances of survival

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Scientifically studying bees is extremely difficult, according to a statement from EPFL on Thursday. Research tools and even unusual odors can disrupt a colony’s behavior. In addition, bees are extremely sensitive to cold. They are difficult to inspect in winter, as opening the hive will endanger them.

The new high-tech beehive solves this problem. The robotic system can be placed inconspicuously in the frame of a normal beehive. Honeycomb can measure and affect temperature. Researchers are studying how honey bees respond to temperature fluctuations. The new robot system was recently presented to the professional world in the “Science Robotics” magazine.

“By collecting data on the location of the bees and creating warmer areas in the hive, we were able to encourage them to act in ways they would never do in nature in winter,” research group leader Francesco Mondada said in a statement to the EPFL. “This gives us the opportunity to act on behalf of a colony, for example by directing it to a food source or preventing it from splitting into very small groups that could compromise its survival.”

By heating the comb, the researchers were able to prolong the survival of a bee colony after the death of the queen. According to the researchers, this should make it easier for bee colonies to survive in the future. This is important given the global decline in pollinator populations, which is a growing environmental and food safety concern.

(SDA)

Source : Blick