Bombus affinis

The frequencies of sounds produced by bees differ in accordance with their purpose. All the produced sounds are synchronized to a uniform frequency over a given period, regardless of whether they are produced by a single insect or by an entire group. In Bombus affinis, or the rusty patched bumble bee, the ventilation and the awakening dance sounds (produced by the workers) and the hunger signal (sounded by the larvae) have a frequency of 146-170 Hz, while the threatening flight occurs at 234 Hz and the dance of workers facing the queen – at 690-725 Hz. This remains especially confusing due to the fact that the bees’ sensory system is sensitive to air vibrations up to about 500 Hz.

BEFORE
​by Johnny Chang &
​Hana Patterson-Chang

Field recordings collected from the Maungatauhoro headland set the scene. To the north, the Puhoi river can be observed flowing into the Mahurangi harbour.

A momentary glimpse into the life of the bombus affinis, from the larvae stage to its work for the queen bee and the colony. 

Thanks and appreciation to Hana for her assistance on aspects of the mix, as well as her contribution in the form of drawings augmenting the score.

Johnny Chang
soundcloud.com/johnnychchang
partitions-and-resonances.bandcamp.com
www.wandelweiser.de/johnny-chang.html

AFTER
by I’m My Own Merry-go-round
(Rastko Popović, eViola)

All sounds created and performed on electric viola.

​I’m My Own Merry-go-round (Rastko Popović, eViola)
soundcloud.com/i_mmyownmerry-go-round​