Measurement of Electric Charges Carried by Bees: Evidence of Biological Variations

Abstract

Various insects, especially social insects, possess electric charges. Erickson (1982, 1983) shows their involvement in the odor receptor efficiency of honey bee antenna. Also, the author suggests the importance of charges in the transfer of pollen grains from flowers to pollinator insects. To measure directly electric charges, we fit a sensor used to determine the charges of raindrops. Strongly clustered wintering bees and foraging bees were measured. The individual values range between −400pC to +600pC (m = 153 +/105pC) during winter time. The foraging bees possess variable charges, generally smaller than wintering bees (m = 29 +/− 40pC). 7.0% of measured bees whole are charged negatively and less than 1% of these have no charges. The presence of electric charges throughout bees yearly cycle is significant for the insect society. Moreover electric forces contribute to explain some aspects of bee-parasite relationships.