In his new book, What a Bee Knows: Exploring the Thoughts, Memories and Personalities of Bees, pollination ecologist Stephen Buchmann says his research suggests that bees are capable of experiencing complex emotions, including optimism, frustration, playfulness and fear. His experiments have shown that bees can recognize different human faces, experience PTSD, and possibly dream. Buchmann’s findings could have implications for the agriculture industry, in which bees are regulated as livestock. If bees have some sentience, will agri-business and science be required to treat them more ethically? Are colonies dying due to pesticides or emotional trauma?
What are the implications? Will we be able to communicate with bees someday? What if they turn on us first? What happens next?
