Michael Smith

Assistant Prof at Auburn.
Interested in collective behavior, automated tracking, social physiology, and how honey bee colonies do what they do.

[Michael Smith @SmithBeeLab]

You can find the @SmithBeeLab at BlueSky!
@smithbeelab.bsky.social

(I won't be checking this account for the foreseeable future, sorry!)

[U.S. National Science Foundation @NSF]

Symmetry is vital to bees & their hives reflect it. 🐝

#NSFfunded researchers discovered that bees build their hives in mirroring patterns, which speeds up growth, resulting in more baby bees & a stable temperature. https://t.co/6nceODHyCA

📷: @SmithBeeLab, by Peter R. Marting

[Peter Marting @AztecaCecropia]

New pub! Honeybee nests are super symmetrical, the pattern of cell contents is mirrored on either side of the comb. This symmetry
1 is unique to each comb in the nest
2 evolves over time while maintaining symmetry
3 aids in thermoregulation and rearing
4 conserved across Apis🔗⬇️

[Michael Smith @SmithBeeLab]

ps. Yes, there is at least one @taylorswift13 easter egg in the manuscript. I mean, obvi.

[Michael Smith @SmithBeeLab]

Thrilled to see our new @SmithBeeLab paper out in @CurrentBiology!

Buckle up, this one’s a wild dive into the world of architectural symmetry…

https://t.co/UIVwFYBosE

[Michael Smith @SmithBeeLab]

As for symmetry, well, it looks like we ALSO find it in the extended phenotype of the superorganism, and it has a functional benefit. And it’s been sitting right in front of us for so long! Once again, you can observe a lot just by watching.

[Peter Marting @AztecaCecropia]

Contrary to this poll (and even most of us in the @SmithBeeLab), turns out most colonies prefer to initiate their nest near the entrance instead of the ceiling, even if that means they build their comb from a vertical wall! At least in our infinity nest: https://t.co/NPsTAoNBNL

[Int Union for the Study of Social Insects - NAS @IUSSI_NAS]

Help students attend the 2026 IUSSI conference in Freiburg, Germany! 🐝 Our goal is to support at least 4 students. Let's raise more than $10,000 and show our support for students in our community! 🐝 PLEASE donate if you can! Scan this QR code, or click the link in the thread 🐝

[Peter Marting @AztecaCecropia]

Where would honeybees prefer to initiate their nest after they move into a large cavity? A really large cavity, let's say an 8ft tall cavity, with the the entrance at the bottom. Answer the poll then see the data in our latest pub below!