Should bees run the world? The insects have always been admired for their organisation and hard work. The latest research suggests that they can also think and feel.
The insect with a bigger personality than you
Should bees run the world? The insects have always been admired for their organisation and hard work. The latest research suggests that they can also think and feel.
<h2 class=" eplus-wrapper">What's happening?</h2>
Buzzzzzzzz. A bee is trapped inside Stephen Buchmann's home in Arizona, USAThe United States of America is a country in North America. It has a population of 329 million. .
He does not hit it with a fly swat. Instead, he spends time trying to gentlyCarefully and mildly. catch it. Then he walks into his garden and puts it on a flower to rest.
Bees are very important to Buchmann. He is the authorWriter. of a new book, What a Bee Knows: Exploring the Thoughts, Memories and Personalities of Bees. He has spent 40 years studying bees.
Buchmann thinks bees should be important to everyone, too. Bees pollinateTaking pollen from one plant to another so new seeds can be produced. plants, by taking pollen from one flower to another. We need bees to help us grow many of the foods we eat.
<h2 class=" eplus-wrapper">Find out more</h2>
But Buchmann says bees are more than just useful robots. Bees, he says, have many of the same feelings as us. They can feel fear, hope, playfulness and anger. They can remember human faces, and might even be able to dream.
It is only in the last 10 years that scientists have been learning all about bees' brains. A bee's brain is the size of a poppy seed - too small to study without new technology. Scientists once thought bees could not possibly have big feelings.
Now, they know better. But bees are in danger. Many groups of bees are disappearing. It is called "colony collapse disorder". Some think it is due to chemicals used in farming. Now, others say it could be due to stress caused by how bees are farmed in some places.
<h5 class=" eplus-wrapper">Should bees run the world?</h5>
Yes! Bees work together, help to grow food and can feel many of the same things we do. They are like us, but better, because they are not hurting the planet.
No! This is a silly idea. Only humans can run the world. We know and can do a lot more than bees.
USA - The United States of America is a country in North America. It has a population of 329 million.
Gently - Carefully and mildly.
Author - Writer.
Pollinate - Taking pollen from one plant to another so new seeds can be produced.
The insect with a bigger personality than you

Glossary
USA - The United States of America is a country in North America. It has a population of 329 million.
Gently - Carefully and mildly.
Author - Writer.
Pollinate - Taking pollen from one plant to another so new seeds can be produced.