The scientists who carried out the study described the alarm as a disturbing shriek when the hive was attacked by a giant bee. The frenzied alarm signal that honey bees produce is called an antipredator alert. (Read also; Surat An-Nahl Verses 68-69: Revelation for Bees and the Privilege of Honey )
This defense alarm phenomenon issued by honey bees was first discovered by researchers from Wellesley College in Massachusetts. In all, the researchers captured nearly 30,000 bee signals over a recording duration of more than 1,300 minutes, at three beekeeping sites in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Heather Mattila and fellow researchers from Wellesley College in Massachusetts recorded sounds inside a hive of honeybees when attacked by a giant bee (Vespa soror), both the well-known “killer” bee (Vespa mandarinia) and a smaller species of bee (Vespa). velutina). For comparison, the research team also recorded sounds from the hive when there was no threat from predatory bees.
By analyzing images of sound patterns, the team found that the bees produce a series of loud, indefinable sounds. The frequency of the sound can change rapidly when attacked by a giant bee. However, such sounds are not detected when there is no threat. (Read also; Swarm of Bees Kills 60 Rare African Penguins )
Mattila said the acoustic properties of the sound produced were very similar to the alarm screams and terrified screams made by other animals such as primates and birds. “I find it very disturbing. When you analyze the recording, some of you will feel scared and some of you will be interested because these sounds sound unusual,” he said, quoted by newscientist.com.
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