Skip to main content

Figure-Eight Waggle Dance

A honeybee runs a figure-eight path on the comb and waggles its abdomen along the straight diagonal part. The angle of that waggle run points toward food relative to the sun, and its length tells other bees how far away the food is.

In the picture

  1. The central bee’s abdomen: its waggling angle shows direction relative to the sun.
  2. The diagonal segment of the figure-eight trail: its length and duration show distance to the food.
  3. The sunbeam: the reference direction for the angle.
  4. A nearby bee’s antennae: it detects the dancer’s movements and orientation.

Examples

  • A friend points toward a distant shop while using the sun’s position as a reference.
  • A longer walk to a landmark tells you the destination is farther away.

Quiz: Figure-Eight Waggle Dance (Age 15)

  1. In the waggle dance, what does the angle of the central bee’s abdomen indicate?

    • The type of food being collected
    • The distance to the food
    • The direction of the food relative to the sun
  2. What does the length of the waggle run communicate?

    • How far away the food is
    • Which direction the food is in
    • How many bees should follow
  3. What does the bee use as the reference direction when indicating where the food is?

    • The sun
    • The antennae of nearby bees
    • The hive entrance

The answers, each with its explanation, are in the app. This lesson has left the free week, so its quiz is part of the subscription.

Get the app

Free app, optional subscription
App Store Google Play

Carry on in the app

At least one new illustrated lesson every weekday for your child’s year, with its quiz and a reminder at 6:15 pm.

Your child’s teacher does not use My Enhanced Teacher yet?

Tell them about it

Age 15