Why are 30K Bees Wearing QR Codes?

Why are honeybees flying around with QR codes? In this fascinating study, researchers at Penn State University attached tiny QR codes to over 30,000 bees to track their behavior across six hives — 24/7 — throughout spring and summer. Using a specialized camera and computer system, they discovered game-changing insights:

🐝 Over 34% of bees took foraging trips that lasted more than two hours — way beyond what scientists expected.

🌸 These long-distance journeys may reveal how bees respond to flower availability, weather, and hive health.

⏳ And shockingly, the data showed that some bees may live up to 8 weeks — twice as long as previously believed.

This high-tech approach to studying bee behavior could reshape agricultural practices and help us better protect one of nature’s most important pollinators. 🌎💡