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A honey bee (Apis mellifera) mid-flight as she forages on clover in
Baton Rouge, LA. Clover is an important early spring food source
for honey bees in most regions of the U.S.
(Photo by Mandy Frake, ARS)
Honey Bees Get Hangry Too
If you have ever been hangry (a portmanteau for hungry and angry), then you know what it is like to be irritable, bad-tempered, or easily annoyed. While being hangry may seem like an excuse for unpleasant behavior, research shows that hunger can cause shifts in our hormones, brain processes, and nervous system that result in negative emotions like anger.
According to a recent study, honey bees, like humans, may also experience hanger when they do not get enough nutrients. Pollen scarcity and nutritional stress are major issues that beekeepers are tackling to protect their hives. Learn more...
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