A compelling new documentary series, Secrets of the Bees, is now available on Disney+ and Hulu, designed to spark wonder and emphasize the critical need to save bee populations worldwide. The series opens by focusing on a single, unassuming tan box at the edge of a wildflower meadow, which is teeming with activity.

The Birth of a Worker Bee

As spring warms the hive, the first new bee of the year emerges from her wax cell. This individual, designated as Worker Bee One, begins a short but vital life dedicated to nurturing larvae and gathering essential pollen and nectar.

A Sweet but Brief Existence

The documentary extensively tracks the efforts of Worker Bee One and her sisters as they strive to produce enough honey to survive the upcoming winter. Narrator and cinematographer Bertie Gregory states that the series reveals the "hidden world behind the buzz."

While Worker Bee One anchors the two-episode series, the narrative weaves in stories from over 20,000 other bee species globally. Each episode serves as a tribute to these insects, showcasing their remarkable capabilities alongside the severe dangers they face.

Global Exploration of Bee Abilities

The premiere date for the series is set for March 31 on National Geographic, followed by an April 1 release on Disney+ and Hulu. As Gregory approaches the hive, he admits to having previously overlooked bees, calling it a mistake because, despite their size, he believes they may be the most important animals on the planet.

The documentary highlights the astonishing feats performed by various bees. The first episode follows Worker Bee One learning to build honeycomb and forage. Viewers are also taken to Ecuador to observe vulture bees, or see bees solving puzzles in laboratories.

Unexpected Tool Use in the Wild

The series documents honeybees in Japan employing leaves as tools to fend off predators. Scientific advisor Samuel Ramsey, an entomologist at the University of Colorado in Boulder, notes this discovery. Ramsey states that bees exhibit a "higher level of processing than was originally expected."

Existential Threats and Scientific Hope

The second episode shifts focus to the grave dangers confronting bee populations. In Ramsey’s lab, viewers meet honeybees exhibiting exceptional hygiene, which offers potential aid in combating parasitic varroa mites.

These mites invade colonies, transmitting debilitating viruses that can cause colony collapse. Ramsey is studying how grooming behaviors influence resistance, noting, "Seeing these bees just manage it, really gives you a sense of hope that can be hard to find these days."

The Impact of Invasive Honeybees

Honeybees themselves can pose a threat outside their native ranges in parts of Europe, western Asia, and Africa. Their strong communication skills allow them to outcompete many native species in these new environments.

An example is shown in a London rooftop garden where a male wool carder bee spends significant time defending his territory against honeybees instead of seeking a mate. Despite being outsiders in many regions, honeybees are crucial to the environment and serve as an early warning system for pollinator health.

Conservation Efforts Highlighted

The documentary concludes on an uplifting note, spotlighting individuals dedicated to saving these insects. Members of a Maya community in Mexico are restoring nesting sites for stingless bees, a species once common across the Yucatan Peninsula.

Furthermore, a beekeeper in Oregon transformed 450 acres into a wildflower meadow. This action not only boosts honey production for his honeybees but also provides vital sustenance for the region's native bees. Ultimately, Secrets of the Bees achieves its goal: using wonder to advocate for bee preservation.