Bee Fact – Number 6

Bees have developed a complex language to share vital information about food sources. It’s called the waggle dance and is considered to be one of the most sophisticated forms of non-human communication. It involves bees waggling their bottoms to communicate direction, distance and quality of food to their hive family, who gently touch the waggling bee to receive the message as well as picking up vibrations through their feet in the darkness of the hive.

During the Charles Butler 400th anniversary Bee Fayre celebrations, Morris dancers demonstrated an interpretation of the dance – watch it here during coverage of the Bee Fayre on BBC South Today.

The BBC has also produced a three-minute clip explaining the waggle dance. Watch it here.

For more information about the Bee Fayre, Wallbarn’s connection to it and how you can support the UK bee population, please click on the following link – https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1461674967932367