Bees of many species contain tiny magnetic particles - suggesting they may have an innate magnetic compass for navigation
Researchers have discovered that a majority of tested bee species possess magnetic properties, suggesting an innate ability for magnetoreception. This study challenges previous assumptions that magnetic navigation was exclusive to social, colony-dwelling honeybees.
Why it matters
Understanding how insects navigate is crucial for ecological conservation and provides insights into the evolutionary biology of sensory systems.
Scientists don’t know how insects use a magnetic sense to navigate. Laura Russo Bees of many species contain tiny magnetic particles – suggesting they may have an innate magnetic compass for navigation Published: July 17, 2026 8:14am EDT https://theconversation.com/bees-of-many-species-contain-tiny-magnetic-particles-suggesting-they-may-have-an-innate-magnetic-compass-for-navigation-282229 https://theconversation.com/bees-of-many-species-contain-tiny-magnetic-particles-suggesting-they-may-have-an-innate-magnetic-compass-for-navigation-282229 Link copied Share article Share article
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A surprisingly large number and diversity of bee species – 74 out of 96 tested – have magnetic properties , according to research my colleagues and I recently published in the journal Science Advances.
Some animals are able to use iron-based magnetic compounds such as magnetite to detect and navigate via the Earth’s magnetic field – a sense called magnetoreception. We considered magnetism in the insects we tested to be a proxy for which species might be magnetoreceptive.
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