TO the untrained ear, the buzzing of bees sounds the same no matter where and when you hear it.
But maybe you should listen a little more closely.
There are in fact different levels of buzzing, and Nottingham researchers plan to decode and provide beekeepers with clues to the health of their hives.
A consortium from Nottingham Trent University and the Bee Farmers' Association of the United Kingdom has been given £1.2 million of EU money to run the research.
The researchers have already developed a method of using accelerometers – devices which are sensitive to minute vibrations – to detect and translate the vibrations caused by bees as they communicate with one another.
They are now investigating changes and patterns in buzzing which might indicate health disorders, or deterioration in the hive.
It is hoped the end result will be instant alerts for beekeepers, via e-mail or text message, when there are problems.
Dr Martin Bencsik, a physicist and researcher at Nottingham Trent's School of Science and Technology, said: "Despite its importance and the obvious potential for growth, serious problems face the beekeeping sector. Action to bring modern management tools to beekeeping and action to halt the decline of the European beekeeping sector is urgently needed, particularly as bees play such a vital role in agricultural productivity. We now have the potential to achieve this."
The money has been released because beekeeping generates more than £346 million a year in Europe.
But populations are declining in the UK. Research published in 2010 showed there had been a 54 per cent decline in 20 years, compared to a European average of 20 per cent.
Woodthorpe beekeeper Alec Thomson said: "I welcome the idea that research is being done into the communication system used by bees.
"There is so much to be learnt from the vibrations and sounds used by bees and if this research is successful it will be fantastic.
"Bee hives do suffer with the problem of [mites], which can play havoc with colonies. Something needs to be done about this."
Woodborough beekeeper Alison Knox said: "Any research in this area is good news. It will be a big help in the future."
David Bancalari, research and administration officer of the Bee Farmers' Association, said: "This could be the golden hour for bee farmers. For years we have been struggling to improve the health of our bees. We know early intervention is crucial. This research could give us those vital, lifesaving early signs of problems allowing us to tend to our bees much sooner."
