More Bee Biomimetics

It is amazing to hear some tinhorns say that living things only appear to be designed, but are really the products of random processes — then they draw inspiration from creatures to use in human applications. This is biomimetics or biomimicry.

One source of several inspirations is the honeybee. It is impressive when people will observe a critter and essentially ask, "How does it do that? Why is this beneficial?", then work on practical applications. It is even more impressive when they succeed.

Credit: Pixnio / Jarno

Have you ever studied a honeybee, or seen videos? Notice how the abdomen does a great deal of flexing. Seems like the friction there would make it wear out. Scientists are studying the bee to design moving parts that last longer. The evidence is clear, so when someone utters an unscientific, opinion-based statement about living things only appearing to be designed, they are disingenuous. The Designer is God, who is described in the Bible.

Scientists have uncovered and learned from many creatures in God’s creation—for example, from a host of insects and especially the bee, with its honeycomb design that has inspired the production of insulation, aircraft parts, and cardboard boxes.

It is not surprising that entomologists have yet again learned from this industrious insect, this time in regard to minute hairs on the honeybee that reduce friction. This design clearly shows God’s engineering in living systems.

To read all of this short article, see "Honeybee Design Saves Energy".