myrmepropagandistJul 27, 2023

Over on tiktok user @nomadicpancakes has observed a group of #bees that have learned to turn on the sensor on a water bottle filling station by walking over the target.

This is just the kind of thing bees are made to learn, they love targets and need to follow them when dealing with flowers all the time.

The interesting thing is that the bee who hits the target produces water for her sisters, herself less so. But these #eusocial girls seem to have that worked out!

https://www.tiktok.com/@nomadicpancakes/video/7255331484444314926

Show threadmyrmepropagandistJul 27, 2023

Bee dehydration is a serious problem. Why not design a water feeder just for the bees?

Some of the design challenges:
-standing water causes mosquitos
-bees can drown in water that's even a cm deep, ideally the feeder should reproduce dew drop like conditions
-if too many other things trigger the feeder it will waste water or be empty

It could be as simple as a runway that the bee lands on, then after walking through a tunnel there are a few drops of water to drink.

Show threadCaffe NekoJul 28, 2023
@futurebird this ceramic artist is making these beautiful bee cups for this very issue https://www.bee-cups.com/
Bee Cups

Bee Cups are handmade porcelain cups for your garden that collect a teaspoon of water for thirsty bees and butterflies.

Bee Cups
Show threadArtemis13AthenaJul 28, 2023
@caffeneko @futurebird I wish the words didn't cover the bottom of the video. If anyone is interested in a low-tech solution to giving bees water, why not a bottle with a cloth sticking out of the top? The cloth would have to be long enough to touch the bottom , water would wick up to the top. The bees could crawl along the cloth and take sips from where the threads touch.
Show threadDorian
@Artemis13Athena @caffeneko @futurebird and we call it a beelotov
Jul 28, 2023 at 3:50pmWeb