Honey bees perform their waggle dance more precisely when more hive mates watch, according to a new study. Researchers found that dancers adjust their movements to attract followers, sacrificing accuracy for engagement when audiences are small. The findings highlight the social dynamics of bee communication.
Foraging honey bees use the waggle dance to inform hive mates about food sources, indicating direction relative to the sun and distance through specific movements. A study led by scientists from the University of California San Diego, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Queen Mary University of London reveals that this dance adapts to social feedback from observers in the hive. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research demonstrates that bees become less precise when fewer bees pay attention, as dancers move more to seek followers, akin to street performers adapting to crowds. Professor James Nieh of UC San Diego's Department of Ecology, Behavior and Evolution explained, “When fewer bees follow, dancers move more as they search for their audience, and the dance becomes less precise.” In controlled hive experiments mimicking natural conditions, researchers varied audience sizes and engagement levels. They observed reduced precision with smaller groups or less interested bees, such as young workers who rarely follow dances. Bees detect their audience through physical touches with antennae and bodies, shaping the signal's quality. Senior author Ken Tan from the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden noted, “Our data show that feedback from the audience shapes the signal itself.” Lars Chittka from Queen Mary University added, “Honey bees quite literally dance better when they know someone is watching.” These insights extend to broader animal communication, where receiver availability influences signal accuracy in social groups.