Sun, 03 May 2026 20:53:08 +0000

Why No One Thinks Bumblebees Should Ever Fly—Until Now! For centuries, bumblebees have captivated the world with their fuzzy bodies and daring buzz, flitting between flowers in a ballet of nature’s design. Yet, despite their undeniable charm, a long-held assumption has discouraged us from taking them seriously: no one ever thought bumblebees should fly. This surprising idea reveals fascinating insights into biology, evolution, and our perception of the natural world—until recent science flipped the narrative. The Myth: Why Bumblebees "Can’t" Fly At first glance, it makes sense. Bumblebees are stocky, heavy-bodied insects with wings tempered by physics—and that popular idea of “lifting heavy wings” suggests they should struggle. Historically, early entomologists believed bumblebees flew too slowly or inefficiently to justify their size, due to their large, velvety bodies and relatively small wing area. The so-called “bumblebee paradox” whispered that their flight was so flapping-heavy that it defied aerodynamic logic.