A communication behavior where a returning worker bee runs in narrow circles on the comb, reversing direction after each lap. This tells the colony that a nectar or pollen source is within about 50 meters of the hive. Unlike the waggle dance, it does not communicate specific direction, only that the resource is nearby and highly profitable.
Heard on the job
She's doing a frantic round dance, so that spilled syrup must be right outside the entrance.
Related terms
Dance
A choreographed sequence of movements performed by worker bees to communicate resource locations.
Gold bee
A colloquial name for various native North American bees exhibiting bright yellow or golden coloration.
Colony collapse disorder
A phenomenon where the majority of worker bees permanently abandon a hive.