Journal of Astrobiology & Outreach

Abstract

Severe Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Losses Correlate with Geomagnetic and Proton Disturbances in Earth’s Atmosphere

Ferrari TE and Tautz J

Incoming and outgoing rates of honeybees (Apis mellifera) were monitored from an observation hive daily over three, six-month periods in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Sensors at the hive entrance measured differences between the numbers of outgoing versus returning bees on a per minute basis. Disturbances were also monitored in (A) Earth’s magnetosphere and (B) proton flux intensity in Earth’s outer atmosphere. Data indicated bee losses were highly correlated (R²= 0.970) with days when severe geomagnetic storm activity (K-Index ≥5) occurred in Earth’s magnetosphere, and monthly losses increased as the intensity of geomagnetic disturbances increased. Bee losses were also highly correlated (R²=0.978) with intensity of extraterrestrial protons that impacted Earth’s outer atmosphere. For the three-year study, estimated losses were 2.71-times greater on storm days compared to nonstorm days. Greatest losses - from 16,920 to 56,640 bees - occurred during the 3 longest and most severe storms. Collectively, data indicated geomagnetic disturbances in Earth’s atmosphere - produced by coronal eruptions on the Sun - are involved with the interference of a forager’s homing ability here on Earth, thereby leading to their sudden disappearance from a hive.