The Bumblebee flies anyway

[tinyboy21]

I've heard this saying so many times, I don't know if it is true. It is that the bumblebee aerodynamically shouldn't be able to fly, but it does anyway.

[Phi for All]

I've heard this saying so many times, I don't know if it is true. It is that the bumblebee aerodynamically shouldn't be able to fly, but it does anyway.

Bumblebees CAN fly.

 

*edit* The above is a link to an explanation of the "bumblebee can't fly" myth.

[MolecularMan14]

lol, yes I would say that the postulate is automatically accepted, mainly because THEY CAN FLY.

[Sayonara]

Clearly if they can fly, they can't not fly, so it must be our understanding of how bumblebees are aerodynamic that is being questioned in the original post.

[RICHARDBATTY]

I think they use sound to generate a shock wave in the air that momentarily compresses the air the wing is traveling in.

[tinyboy21]

Clearly if they can fly, they can't not fly, so it must be our understanding of how bumblebees are aerodynamic that is being questioned in the original post.

 

Exactly. I know bumblebees can fly, I just wanted to know why people say they shouldn't.

[Firedragon52]

McMaster's even recanted his earlier statements:

http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~insrisg/nature/nw02/0325Insect_Flight_Myths.htm