How do bees communicate the location of nectar sources?

Bees primarily communicate the location of nectar sources through a complex form of movement known as dancing. When a forager bee discovers a source of nectar or pollen, it returns to the hive and performs a specific dance, most notably the waggle dance. This dance conveys information about the direction and distance of the food source relative to the sun.

During the waggle dance, the bee moves in a figure-eight pattern, with the straight portion of the dance indicating the direction of the nectar source. The angle of the dance relative to the vertical comb indicates the angle of the source in relation to the sun. The duration of the waggle phase correlates to the distance to the nectar source; the longer the waggle run, the farther away the food source is.

This method of communication is highly effective and allows other bees in the hive to quickly learn where to find food sources, significantly enhancing foraging efficiency and colony survival. Other forms of communication, such as sound signals or body movements, are not primarily used for this purpose, and color changes do not play a role in directing bees to specific food sources.