Bees are more than just the buzzing insects we see flying from flower to flower. As we’ve explored, some bees exist in a darker, stranger realm of nature. From zombie bees controlled by parasitic flies to pale bees with eerie ghost-like appearances, and even macabre flesh-eating vulture bees, the bee world is filled with bizarre behaviors that remind us how complex and unsettling nature can be.
As Halloween approaches, take a moment to appreciate the creepy and weird aspects of bees and the important, sometimes eerie roles they play in ecosystems. While these spooky pollinators may give you chills, they’re essential for the survival of countless plants and animals, including humans. So next time you hear a bee buzzing by, remember—you might be closer to a horror story than you think.
1. Zombie Bees: When Parasitism Turns to Mind Control
Imagine this: a bee, behaving like a zombie, aimlessly wandering from its hive at night, doomed to a premature death. This horror-movie-like scenario is the result of a parasitic invasion by a fly called Apocephalus borealis, otherwise known as the "Zombie Fly." Apocephalus borealis is a species of North American parasitoid phorid fly that attacks bumblebees, honey bees, and paper wasps.
The Grim Lifecycle
The Zombie Fly’s method of reproduction is straight out of a nightmare. The female fly deposits its eggs into the body of a bee. These eggs eventually hatch, and the larvae feed on the bee’s internal organs, slowly devouring it from the inside out. This results in the bee displaying abnormal behavior, including abandoning the hive at night—a behavior bees rarely exhibit.
Infected bees become disoriented and exhibit jerky, erratic movements, resembling something akin to mind control. These bees, often referred to as "ZomBees," wander aimlessly before dying. The fly larvae then exit the bee’s body to pupate, continuing their grisly cycle.
Ecological Concerns
Honeybee populations, already struggling with threats like pesticides and habitat loss, face further challenges from parasitism by Apocephalus borealis. While this parasite isn’t the main cause of colony collapse, it exacerbates the burden on already fragile honeybee colonies, particularly in regions where the Zombie Fly is prevalent.
For more on the ZomBee phenomenon, check out Planet Bee Foundation’s own Dr. John Haffernick’s ZomBee Watch Project, which tracks these zombie-like bees across North America.
2. Pale, Ghostly Bees: The Rare and Mysterious Hypopigmented Bees
Imagine stumbling upon a bee that appears bleached of all color, wandering like a specter among flowers. These rare bees, sometimes mistaken for "albino" bees, exhibit pale or hypopigmented exoskeletons due to genetic mutations, environmental stressors, or health issues. While the term "albino" suggests a lack of pigment similar to what we see in mammals, the ghostly appearance of these bees is more accurately attributed to variations in their development.
Why Do Pale Bees Appear?
Pale bees are often the result of genetic mutations that disrupt the normal production of pigments in their exoskeletons. This mutation can affect an entire bee or just parts of it, resulting in bees with either completely white or partly discolored bodies. These bees function normally and are capable of pollination, but their pale appearance makes them more vulnerable to predators.
Eerie Sightings
Due to their rarity, sightings of these ghost-like bees can feel almost otherworldly. Unlike most bees that use their stripes and bright colors to blend into flowers or deter predators, hypopigmented bees stand out in stark contrast to their surroundings. While fascinating, their vulnerability to predation reduces their chances of survival in the wild.
Ecological Significance
Though these bees don’t suffer direct health consequences from their lack of pigment, they offer insights into the genetic diversity of bee populations. Researchers continue to study these anomalies to better understand the resilience and adaptability of bees in changing environments.
To learn more, explore Penn State’s Center For Pollinator Research on diseases caused by viruses, bacteria and fungi.
3. Flesh-Eating Bees: The Horrifying Reality of Vulture Bees
Most bees are gentle vegetarians, feasting on nectar and pollen. But there’s one terrifying exception—the vulture bee (Trigona necrophaga). Found in tropical areas of South America, these bees have a gruesome diet: they feast on decaying flesh.
How Do They Feed?
Unlike most bees, vulture bees don’t collect nectar. Instead, they use their sharp mandibles to tear into carcasses, much like vultures. Once they’ve consumed the flesh, they return to the hive and regurgitate it, where it’s processed into a substance that nourishes the colony—a meat-based paste similar to honey.
The Horror of "Meat Honey"
What’s even stranger is that vulture bees produce a substance known colloquially as "meat honey." While it may sound revolting to us, this meat-based paste sustains the colony in much the same way nectar-based honey sustains other bee species. Vulture bees are equipped with highly specialized gut bacteria that allow them to safely digest raw meat, preventing the ingestion of harmful pathogens.
Ecological Role
Despite their unsettling diet, vulture bees play a critical role in tropical ecosystems. They help break down animal carcasses, recycling nutrients back into the environment. Without vulture bees, decomposition would take longer, potentially leading to more dangerous scavengers being drawn to the area.
For more about these fascinating bees, check out Entomology Today’s, How to Become a Vulture and Not Die Trying: Following Tropical Bees and Their Gut Microbes.
Additional Resources
For readers curious about broader bee conservation efforts, explore:
The Smithsonian's Department of Entomology Collection is a vital resource for studying insect biodiversity, conducting research, and supporting conservation and education efforts.
Pollinator Partnership: A collaborative initiative focused on conserving pollinators through research, education, and outreach to promote sustainable practices and enhance ecosystem health.
More Dangers Facing Honeybees and Native Bees
While the spooky world of pollinators can seem otherworldly, the real horror lies in the threats these bees face. From the parasitic Zombie Fly to habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and climate change, both honeybees and native bees are under siege. Invasive species like the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) further endanger already vulnerable bee populations, while large-scale monoculture farming reduces the biodiversity that bees need to thrive.
As we celebrate the eerie side of bees this Halloween, let’s not forget the real dangers threatening their survival. With over 75% of the world’s crops dependent on pollinators, protecting these essential creatures ensures not only their survival but ours too.
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