Honeybees have built-in compasses made of magnetic crystals in their abdomens.

Honeybees possess specialized cells in their abdominal regions containing magnetite, a naturally occurring magnetic mineral. Research published in the journal 'Proceedings of the Royal Society B' indicates these crystals are linked to the bee's nervous system. This biological hardware allows bees to detect minute fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field, which averages about 25 to 65 microteslas depending on the location.The magnetic sense is part of a complex navigation suite that includes polarized light detection and a 'sun compass.' While bees prefer using the sun for orientation, the magnetite crystals act as a critical backup system. Studies conducted by researchers at the University of Würzburg have shown that bees can be trained to respond to magnetic stimuli in controlled environments, confirming the functionality of these internal sensors.This magnetoreception is vital for the 'waggle dance,' a communication method discovered by Nobel laureate Karl von Frisch. When a scout bee finds nectar, she performs a figure-eight dance to communicate the distance and direction of the food. If the sun is obscured by clouds, the bee relies on her magnetic sense to maintain the correct alignment of the dance relative to the hive.Modern environmental factors like electromagnetic interference from power lines and electronic devices may disrupt this sensitive system. Experiments have demonstrated that exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic fields can cause bees to become disoriented and fail to return to their colonies. Understanding this magnetic sense is crucial for protecting bee populations, which are essential for pollinating approximately one-third of the food humans consume daily.