Apiculture (0+1)

Round Dance

This type of dance is performed if food source is nearby (within100 metres in case of A. mellifera and 10 metres in A. cerana). The performing bee takes quick short steps and runs around in narrow circles on the comb; once to right and then left and then repeating for several seconds (Fig. 5.1). The dance excites the bees and they touch the performer with their antennae and then leave the hive in search of source of food. In this dance there is no indication of direction of food and the foragers search within 100 metres in all direction using floral odour clinging to hairy body of scout bee as cue as well as from the sips of nectar which they receive from the dancing bee.



Figure 5.1 Round Dance