The Buzz on Honey Bees as Explosives Detectors

The use of honey bees as explosive detectors is an emerging field with numerous potential applications. Honey bees have a unique sense of smell and are highly sensitive to certain chemicals in the air. These characteristics make them an ideal candidate for detecting explosives in a safe and cost-effective way. In this article, we will delve into the process of collecting, qualifying, and training honey bees to become explosive detection specialists. 

The process begins with the collection of honey bees from their hive. A specially designed handheld device is used to safely collect the bees inside a chamber before transferring them to the lab. Before the training process begins, the bees are cooled to slow down their movements for handling purposes. The chilled bees are then placed in a harness for 30 minutes to get used to their new environment. While loading each bee manually into a harness is tedious, some labs use an automated bee loading machine to streamline the process. 

The training of honey bees is similar to the conditioning of dogs. Honey bees are amazing at detecting chemicals in the air, and this is how they find their favorite flowers. A neutral stimulus, such as the ringing of a bell, is presented to the bees. This is followed by the delivery of a biologically significant outcome, such as food, to teach the bees to associate the two. This basic principle is used to train the bees to detect explosive scents.

The qualification test that the bees must pass is called Proboscis Extension Reflex (PER). Bees that can PER make it to the training round. During the training phase, the bees are given a 6-second exposure to an explosive vapor, followed by a sugar water reward during the last 3 seconds. After four rounds of training, the bees that voluntarily PER after receiving the explosive scent are ready for fieldwork. 

There are two ways to monitor the response of the bees. The first involves a camera, while the second utilizes an infrared LED. Both methods can interpret when the bees PER. A unanimous PER signal from all the bees suggests a high likelihood that they have detected the explosive scent they were trained on.

The final test involves loading six cartridges of six honey bees each into a handheld detection device. Each cartridge can be trained on a different substance, allowing the device to detect not only the presence but also the type of substance. The device is then exposed to air in the bag for 6 seconds, and if a bee extends its tongue, the corresponding square turns from green to red.

In addition to being potentially better suited for detecting landmines, honey bees have other advantages over dogs as well. One major advantage is their ability to fly and cover large areas quickly. Honey bees can be trained to detect explosives in large outdoor areas, making them an ideal option for border security or for searching for explosives in remote locations.

Another advantage of honey bees is their ability to work in extreme weather conditions. Unlike dogs, which may struggle to work in extremely hot or cold weather, honey bees are able to adapt to a wide range of temperatures and humidity levels.

Furthermore, honey bees are less likely to be distracted than dogs. Dogs can become easily distracted by new scents or sounds, but honey bees are less likely to be swayed by outside stimuli. This makes them ideal for detecting explosives in noisy or busy environments, such as airports or train stations.

While honey bees have many advantages over dogs when it comes to detecting explosives, there are some drawbacks to using them as well. For one, honey bees are not as trainable as dogs. Dogs can be trained to detect a wide range of scents, whereas honey bees are limited to detecting only a few specific scents.

Additionally, honey bees are more fragile than dogs, and require more care and attention to ensure they remain healthy and safe while working. This can be especially challenging when working in outdoor environments where bees are exposed to harsh weather conditions and potential predators.

Despite these challenges, the use of honey bees as explosive detection specialists is a promising field of research, and has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach security and safety in a wide range of industries. By leveraging the natural abilities of these remarkable insects, we can develop new and innovative solutions for detecting explosives and other dangerous materials.

In conclusion, honey bees are an effective and efficient alternative to dogs as explosive detectors. With their highly sensitive sense of smell and unique characteristics, honey bees can be trained in a matter of hours and can detect explosives in a safe and cost-effective way. The maintenance cost of bees is also lower than that of dogs, making them an ideal candidate for certain applications, such as detecting landmines.