How Fast Is Bee Wingbeat?

Honey bee wings beat 230 times per second — fast enough that the wingtips reach 50 m/s. The 'buzz' you hear is literally that wingbeat frequency translated directly into sound. Each wing rotates like a tiny helicopter blade.

The buzz of a bee is literally its wingbeat frequency — 230 beats per second translated into sound.

• Faster than a cheetah at full sprint
• The buzz IS the wingbeat frequency