Buzzing with Wonder: Bees and the April 8, 2024 Solar Eclipse
Less than a week away on April 8, 2024, a celestial spectacle will unfold across North America as a total solar eclipse casts its shadow across the land. As millions of people gather to witness this rare event, another group of spectators will be quietly going about their business: the bees. At our honey farm nestled in the heart of the totality zone in the Fingerlakes Region of New York, we're eagerly anticipating this cosmic event and its impact on ourselves and our buzzing friends.
This event is especially exciting to our family as our daughter, Bailey, is a Ph.D candidate in astrophysics, which has made us more aware of space-related news. One thing a lot of people don't think about is that the only reason a total solar eclipse is possible is by sheer coincidence, the sun and the moon look approximately the same size from Earth. Obviously, the sun is significantly larger than anything else in our solar system, but it turns out that the large distance between us and the sun makes it look the same size as the moon. We wouldn't be able to get totality if the size of the moon didn't overlay nearly perfectly with the size of the sun. Bailey wants us to remind everyone to wear approved solar glasses and be very careful during totality as the corona around the sun is still visible during that time. The corona, the hottest part of the sun, releases a lot of
X-ray and ultraviolet (UV) radiation which can permanently damage your retinas. She also wants to remind everyone to never to look at the eclipse through binoculars, telescopes, or cameras, even with solar glasses on.
Our bee hives are located within the path of totality, offering us a unique vantage point to observe how bees respond to the sudden darkness and changing light conditions. While bees don't wear eclipse glasses or consult astrophysicists, they are highly attuned to environmental cues, including shifts in light and temperature. During a solar eclipse, bees may exhibit a range of behaviors as they navigate this temporary disruption to their usual routine. Some bees may return to the hive, interpreting the darkness as a signal to seek shelter. Others may continue foraging, seemingly unaffected by the celestial spectacle above. The bees might not even be venturing outside their hives that day, if it is cold and rainy (or heaven forbid, snowing). It's all "up in the air" as they say.
But let's say it's the perfect solar eclipse viewing day. One fascinating aspect of bees' behavior that researchers have found during a solar eclipse is their response to the changing light conditions. As the sky darkens and temperatures drop, bees may interpret the eclipse as an early onset of dusk, triggering instinctual behaviors associated with nighttime. This can include returning to the hive to cluster together for warmth and protection, much like they would during the evening hours. As beekeepers, we'll hopefully be able to monitor hive activity before, during, and after the eclipse, noting any changes in behavior or productivity. It's a chance for us to better understand how bees interact with their environment and adapt to unexpected events like a solar eclipse. Or we might just bee so engrossed in watching this "once in a lifetime event", that we don't even think about our ladies in that moment.
But beyond the scientific observations, the solar eclipse serves as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all living things and the profound impact that celestial events can have on the natural world. For bees, whose lives are intricately linked to the cycles of the sun and moon, the eclipse is both a moment of disruption and a testament to their resilience in the face of change. Even if it affects them for a brief period, these hard working girls will be right back to work afterwards.
So as you gather to witness the solar eclipse, whether in person or through live streams and broadcasts, take a moment to think of the bees, quietly going about their business as the world around them is briefly plunged into darkness. It's a reminder that even in the midst of cosmic events, the humble bee continues its vital work, pollinating flowers and producing the sweet honey that helps sustain life on Earth.
Will you be watching the eclipse? Are you also in the path of totality? We'd love to hear your plans and stories, so feel free to tell us in the comments. Whether you are able to view it or not, you can defintely commemorate this special event with our Eclipse Honey label on our 8oz and 1lb honey jars from now until April 8th. Get yours today while they are still available and celebrate all things eclipse.
Until next time,
Stay Safe and Sweet.
Tom and Stacie
Our Beekeepers, Tom and Stacie, are the co-owners of Fingerlakes Honey Company located in the bee-utiful Fingerlakes region of New York State. When they are not tending to all things bees, they enjoy spending time with their grown children, their dog, and lots of chickens on their homestead. They love learning more about the bees they foster and helping others to learn more about them as well.
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