FEATURE: Scientific breakthrough simply un-bee-lievable
Honeybees being trained to participate in an experiment by offering them a reward of sugar solution. Individual bees can be identified, and their progress monitored by painting them with variously coloured dots, using non-toxic dyes. Image: Dr Marie Dacke Air travel is likely to become a great deal safer, more precise and efficient in future – thanks to the humble honeybee. From take-off to landing, both piloted and pilotless aircraft as well as ground vehicles are now starting to employ the vision and navigation strategies of these remarkable flying insects. A wide range of aerial tasks that are repetitive or dangerous for humans, such as checking reservoirs, inspecting power transmission lines, bushfire and weather monitoring, mapping and exploring and crop dusting as well as defence roles may soon be carried out based on what we have learned from bees. One day their abilities may even help us to explore the red planet,...