Multi-sensor analysis and modelling of the behaviour of a bee superorganism – BeeBehaviours

Our project aims to characterize the response of bee colonies to environmental disturbances. To do this, we will use instrumented hives allowing the real-time collection of physical and physiological data. This non-intrusive system will allow us to model colony response to environmental changes.
Bees are eusocial insects with a unique biological duality, both as autonomous individuals and as elements of a colony considered a superorganism. Environmental stresses can destabilize colonies or even extinguish them. To better understand these mechanisms, we will measure in real time the physiological activity of hives through data such as mechanical vibrations, temperature, humidity and sound spectrum. We will complement these measurements with non-intrusive imaging devices in the visible and infrared spectrum.
Our project is based on two major challenges: non-intrusive hive instrumentation and the management of massive data generated by our measurements, including their collection, storage, automation, processing and analysis. Next, we will tackle the interdisciplinary challenge of establishing a quantitative relationship between colony status and clearly identified environmental stressors, such as predator or parasite attacks, and variations in the outer conditions of the hive.
The realization of this interdisciplinary project requires synergy between teams specialized in various fields: electronics, signal and image processing, modeling of the collective dynamics of interacting individuals, and the ethology of bees. Our results will help enrich our fundamental understanding and implement actions to prevent the disappearance of this species essential for the preservation of biodiversity.