There is a summary of a study regarding the ability or tendency of
foraging bees to revert to nurse bee status in a hive emergency.  It is
mentioned that the reversion requires adjustment of the circadian rhythm
which strongly implies a sleep type state in the foraging bees.  I no
longer have the Science News (last week or the week before) in which the
summary appeared.  You may be able to find the article on line at the
Science News Web Site.

On Wed, 9 May 2001, Elizabeth Vogt wrote:

> Yes,  bees "sleep",  at least their metabolism slows to a point that
> approximates sleep in mammals.  I recall some research by Heinrichs, I
> believe from the 1970's, that describes this state in honey bees.  Whether
> or not  this occurs on a daily cycle, I don't remember.

---------------
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