Why Do Mosquitoes Whine High While Bumblebees Buzz Low?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do mosquitoes whine high while bumblebees buzz low?

The Big Idea

Mosquitoes whine high and bumblebees buzz low because of how fast their wings flap! A mosquito flaps hundreds of times each second. A bumblebee flaps more slowly, so its buzz is lower.

Mosquito Wings

Step one: a mosquito's wings. A mosquito has very small wings and flaps them fast, around 500 times each second. That fast flapping makes a high whine that you can hear near your ear.

Bumblebee Wings

Step two: a bumblebee's wings. A bumblebee has bigger wings and flaps about 200 times each second. That slower flapping makes a lower, rumbly buzz, and a bumblebee is a bit heavier too.

Wings Are the Noise

Step three: it is wing noise. These insects do not buzz with their voices. The sound is made by their wings pushing the air.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! The mosquito's tiny wings beat very fast. The bumblebee's bigger wings beat slower. Both push the air with each flap. Our ears hear the pitch of those pushes, so faster flaps sound higher.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Small wings can move faster, and faster flapping means a higher sound. A honeybee buzzes at roughly 230 flaps each second. Some insects flap over 1000 times each second. Watch insects from a distance, and never bother them.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, lab challenge! Use a small piece of card and a big piece of card as fans. Flap each one as fast as you can. Which can you wave faster? Which would make a higher pitch? Share what you discover with a grown-up.

Outro

Small wings flap fast and sound high. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!