Question

Shimmering is a collective defense behavior that researchers have observed in giant honeybee colonies. When shimmering, different groups of bees flip their bodies up and down in what looks like waves. This defense is initiated when hornets hover near a colony, serving to deter the hornets from approaching the bees. Researchers hypothesize that this behavior is a specialized defense response to hornets, as it is not observed when other, larger predators approach the colony.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

A. Hornets are known to be the main predator of giant honeybees.
B. Several different species of insects use shimmering to defend against hornets.
C. Researchers think that shimmering in giant honeybees is a specific defense against hornets.
D. Researchers are unsure how giant honeybees defend against predators larger than hornets.

Answer 1

The main idea is that shimmering is a defense behavior giant honeybees use specifically against hornets. This behavior is part of the honeybees' innate mechanisms and evolved societal roles for colony survival, including the waggle dance for food source communication and protecting the queen.

Step-by-step explanation:

The main idea of the text is that shimmering is a specialized defense mechanism used by giant honeybees specifically against hornets. Unlike their response to other larger predators, when hornets, a serious threat, hover near the colony, different groups of bees perform shimmering, a wave-like movement with their bodies, which helps to deter the hornets from approaching the hive. This behavior is hypothesized by researchers to be an innate behavior that is specific to the threat posed by hornets.

Honeybees have evolved various communication and defense strategies. For instance, the waggle dance is an innately programmed behavior honeybees use to communicate the location of a food source to other bees within the hive. Additionally, bees have adapted various innate and societal roles within their colonies, such as finding food, nurturing young, and defending the hive. Their cooperative structure allows for the maintenance of the hive and the protection of the queen bee.

In light of the various threats to honeybee populations, such as the Varroa destructor mite, researchers emphasize the importance of understanding and preserving these innate behaviors and societal structures, as they are critical for the survival of honeybee colonies.