The complex world of honey bee vibrational signaling: A response to Ramsey et al. (2017)

Abstract

Ramsey et al. report on the characteristics and temporal distribution of an interesting vibrational signal that they term the whooping signal, primarily based upon a long-term study of vibrations recorded by accelerometers placed inside two honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies, one in France and one in the United Kingdom. The goal of the study, the long-term automated recording and analysis of honey bee vibrational signaling, is worthwhile. However, we believe that some of the conclusions drawn by the authors are not well supported, given the evidence.