Geometry Of Bees.

 

Yes, we know that bees like to use the hexagonal shape due to its stability and strength but scientists have discovered another facet of bees and how they build their hives. In fact, both bees and wasps have managed to solve an architectural problem using geometry. The problem boils down to figuring out how to  increase the size of each cell and being able to combine the cells effectively. Nest building material is expensive and one cannot combine different sized hexagons into a single array.

So both bees and wasps came up with a unique solution. They produce both five and seven sided cells to fill in the blank areas created by using different sized hexagons. Being able to combine different sized hexagons is difficult but these creatures figured out a solution.  

Many of the colonies are run by female workers who raise the offspring of the queen in hexagonal shaped cells. At a certain point, the focus of the hive is to switch from raising offspring to raising new males and new queens. Since these bees are larger than workers, the hive needs larger cells. 

Scientists analyzed 115 images of various colonies by using an automated image analysis tool but the also verified all results by hand to double check everything. They counted the sides of the irregularly shaped cells that filled in the region between the smaller worker cells and the newer cells for male offspring and new queens.

The scientists discovered that the bees paired one 5 sided cell with a seven sided cell, repeating the pairing again and again to fill in the area. This pairing has the same number of open sides as pairings of hexagons. In fact the five side is made first and then the seven sided shape is created. Then a mathematician created a mathematical model for this and the results of the model indicate this is close to the optimal geometric solution. Thus, these creatures discovered s solution that is great. Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear. Have a great weekend.