Difference between revisions of "Bumblebee"
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| − | The bumblebee is a four-winged [[insect]], a species of [[bee]]. Its wings swivel and flap, knocking into each other which produces a buzzing sound. | + | The '''bumblebee''' is a four-winged [[insect]], a species of [[bee]]. Its wings swivel and flap, knocking into each other which produces a buzzing sound. |
| − | Despite the small area of its wings, the swirling [[vortice]]s produced when the wings collide provide additional lift. <ref> [http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2004Mar/gee20040405024594.htm Geek News FAQ] </ref> | + | Despite the small area of its wings, the swirling [[vortice]]s produced when the wings collide provide additional lift.<ref> [http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2004Mar/gee20040405024594.htm Geek News FAQ] </ref> |
| − | According to a persistent urban legend, the laws of physics supposedly say that "bumblebees can't fly" | + | According to a persistent urban legend, the laws of physics supposedly say that "bumblebees can't fly." This stems from a rough calculation based on the assumption that their wings are smooth and fixed like that of an airplane.<ref> [http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20040911/mathtrek.asp Flight of the Bumblebee] - Ivars Peterson </ref> |
Strobe photography of bumblebees in flight shows how the wings move. | Strobe photography of bumblebees in flight shows how the wings move. | ||
Bumble bees, like their honeybee cousins, feed on [[pollen]] and [[nectar]]. A bumble bee will often identify where a food source is by flying in a figure-8 pattern around it. | Bumble bees, like their honeybee cousins, feed on [[pollen]] and [[nectar]]. A bumble bee will often identify where a food source is by flying in a figure-8 pattern around it. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Footnotes== |
<references/> | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Insects]] | [[Category:Insects]] | ||
Revision as of 00:46, November 1, 2012
The bumblebee is a four-winged insect, a species of bee. Its wings swivel and flap, knocking into each other which produces a buzzing sound. Despite the small area of its wings, the swirling vortices produced when the wings collide provide additional lift.[1]
According to a persistent urban legend, the laws of physics supposedly say that "bumblebees can't fly." This stems from a rough calculation based on the assumption that their wings are smooth and fixed like that of an airplane.[2] Strobe photography of bumblebees in flight shows how the wings move.
Bumble bees, like their honeybee cousins, feed on pollen and nectar. A bumble bee will often identify where a food source is by flying in a figure-8 pattern around it.
Footnotes
- ↑ Geek News FAQ
- ↑ Flight of the Bumblebee - Ivars Peterson