New research from Nottingham Trent University has revealed that honeybees produce a whooping vibration, a signal they believe is more of a courtesy than a warning. The researchers used accelerometers to record bee sounds too subtle for the human ear and used software to scan them and isolate the whooping sounds. Previously, scientists had assumed this sound was a warning to ward off intruders or other bees getting in the way. However, the research team found that instead of sending a ‘watch out’ signal, honeybees actually produce a gasp akin to expressing surprise. The discovery deepens our understanding of the complicated nature of the honeybee.