Why Does a Drowned Bee Float and Bubble?

  • Thread starter Thread starter daniel_i_l
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Bubble Float
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the phenomenon of drowned bees floating and bubbling after death. Participants conclude that the process of putrefaction leads to gas formation within the bee's body, similar to what occurs in human decomposition. This gas, being less dense than water, causes the bee to float after initially sinking. The presence of bubbles is attributed to the release of these gases as the body decomposes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic entomology and bee biology
  • Knowledge of the decomposition process in organisms
  • Familiarity with concepts of buoyancy and density
  • Awareness of the effects of putrefaction on organic matter
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the process of putrefaction in insects
  • Study the buoyancy principles in relation to decomposing organisms
  • Explore the anatomy of bees and their physiological responses to drowning
  • Investigate the ecological impact of bee traps and their effects on local bee populations
USEFUL FOR

Entomologists, biologists, environmental scientists, and anyone interested in the decomposition processes of insects and their ecological implications.

daniel_i_l
Gold Member
Messages
864
Reaction score
0
Near my room there's a bee trap where bees fly into a kind of bottle half filled with juice and they eventually drown. For the first 2 days after drowning the bee floats. Then it sinks for a few days, and then it floats to the top again and is covered in bubbles.
Why does this happen?
Thanks.
 
Biology news on Phys.org
Putrefaction will be my bet.
 
I agree with Borek. Within the first few days of a human body dieing, for instance, gas begins to form and swell in the abdomen. Something similar probably happens inside the bees...and since gas is less dense than water, enough gas must have formed to carry the bee's body to the top. This would also explain the bubbles you saw.
 

Similar threads

Is this egg-laying or something else?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Undergrad How can visible gas bubbles remain intact inside frozen water?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
Can You Become Immune to Mosquito Bites?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
PSA: Drowning does NOT look like it does in the movies
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
Undergrad Why do Bubbles oscillate sinusoidally?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Need help- calculating clearing of bubbles from a microfluidic channel
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Variations in bubble persistance
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Why do bubbles of air in water move up?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
7K
Why Does My Sourdough Taste Like Onions?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
5K
Freon filled balloons go flat QUICKLY! Why?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K