Collecting pollen can be as exhausting for bees as flight take-off, study shows

Collecting pollen is far more exhausting for bees than scientists realised, research from the University of Sussex finds. Photograph: Mario Vallejo-Marin/University of Sussex

Bees use as much energy collecting pollen through “floral buzzing” as they do taking off in flight, a study shows.

Scientists have found the vibrations bumblebees use to shake pollen loose from flowers are among the most exhausting behaviours they perform, forcing bees to “carefully choose” which flowers are worth visiting.