Bees are anything but one-trick ponies. Most notably, they pollinate plants, build hives, and feature complex social systems. And now, thanks to a recent study, we've learned that bees feature tongues akin to "Swiss army knives." Researchers at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China, discovered this by subjecting bees to varieties of honey with different viscosities. For over a century, humans have known that bees "lap" up honey with their hairy tongues, in and out, in and out. The insects dart their hairy tongues into syrupy honey. The tongues then flare 10,000 tiny bristles that scoop out the honey as the tongues are retracted, at which point the fluid is sucked down by a pumping mechanism in the bee's noggin. But the Chinese researchers observed the bees use a new technique: sucking, as if through a straw. When presented with runnier honey, the bees opted to simply slurp instead of flick their tongues in and out. It's a shock to researchers, who have long assumed that insect mouths and other appendages uniformly have single uses. Instead, it seems even nature's littlest guys pack their fair share of tricks. Personally, I'm unimpressed with our six-legged neighbors' new gimmick. Until I see one of them use their tongue to tie a cherry stem, my mind is fixed!
Image credit & copyright: Getty Images
More about this Curio:
The New York Times: "A Honeybee's Tongue Is More Swiss Army Knife Than Ladle"
2
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
2 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I actually knew a man who could do the cherry stem thing 
freeofgod
Level 8
Sep 5, 2020
2
Sooooo,,,, you think it strange that a guy could do something like that,,,, with his tongue??? 
@Captain_Feelgood , I've known some men that could do wicked things with their tongues. Cherry stem was probably the least of them 
Recent Visitors 8
Photos 5,418 More
Posted by FrostyJim...I have enough room for a few good people.
Posted by glennlabMy heavenly Blue Morning Glories have finally gotten their color.
Posted by glennlabMy heavenly Blue Morning Glories have finally gotten their color.
Posted by FernappleIts that season again, blue sky and golden leaves, nature is the greatest designer, a Ginkgo in my garden. Also posted in photography.
Posted by Diaco Black Sapote - The chocolate pudding tropical fruit! (2 videos) [youtube.com] [youtube.com]
Posted by Diaco Black Sapote - The chocolate pudding tropical fruit! (2 videos) [youtube.com] [youtube.com]
Posted by Diaco Black Sapote - The chocolate pudding tropical fruit! (2 videos) [youtube.com] [youtube.com]
Posted by Diaco Black Sapote - The chocolate pudding tropical fruit! (2 videos) [youtube.com] [youtube.com]
Posted by FrostyJimMaking my last batch of 2024 oven roasted tomato sauce on Oct. 10 ready to start filling jars.
Posted by FrostyJimMaking my last batch of 2024 oven roasted tomato sauce on Oct. 10 ready to start filling jars.
Posted by FrostyJimMaking my last batch of 2024 oven roasted tomato sauce on Oct. 10 ready to start filling jars.
Posted by FrostyJimI needed to preserve my bell peppers so I made Indian chutney last night.
Posted by FrostyJimI needed to preserve my bell peppers so I made Indian chutney last night.
Posted by FrostyJimMoose family munchin' on my Raspberries right now at about 8:30 on Tuesday night!
Posted by FrostyJim3 giants total over 3 lbs! Bush Early Girl hybrid grown in my Wasilla Alaska zone 4b greenhouse...
Posted by FrostyJim.