A bee can visually detect events separated by 1/300 of a second, which is about six times faster than human perception.
The above image was snapped with a shutter speed of 1/250 of a second.
burt, from burt’s bees, on colony collapse disorder. now, i’m not one who is usually sympathetic towards industrial agriculture, but this issue goes beyond such personal concerns.
if the decline continues at its current rate, honey bees may become extinct in north america by as early as 2035.
there’s an excellent documentary currently airing on discovery’s planet green network titled the last beekeeper (not only is it informative, the editing and cinematography are also way above par, making it a joy to watch) that follows the plights of three north american beekeepers. the outlook is not so good, as up to 70% hive losses are encountered.
this here stuff is pretty important. the impact of colony collapse is ringing immense alarms [.pdf link] on national and international stages.
a wasp that makes zombie insects?
why, yes. they have that technology, too.
this video is on the emerald jewel wasp, Ampulex compressa (which is by FAR one of the coolest scientific names i’ve ever come across). watch as it effectively zombifies a cockroach into a foodsac for its larvae.
venom sac of a common honey bee. the tip of the stinger is barbed to ensure it holds fast while the venom sac pumps apitoxin into the victim.
:via:
