I've heard this saying so many times, I don't know if it is true. It is that the bumblebee aerodynamically shouldn't be able to fly, but it does anyway.

I've heard this saying so many times, I don't know if it is true. It is that the bumblebee aerodynamically shouldn't be able to fly, but it does anyway.

Bumblebees CAN fly.

 

*edit* The above is a link to an explanation of the "bumblebee can't fly" myth.

lol, yes I would say that the postulate is automatically accepted, mainly because THEY CAN FLY.

Clearly if they can fly, they can't not fly, so it must be our understanding of how bumblebees are aerodynamic that is being questioned in the original post.

I think they use sound to generate a shock wave in the air that momentarily compresses the air the wing is traveling in.

Clearly if they can fly, they can't not fly, so it must be our understanding of how bumblebees are aerodynamic that is being questioned in the original post.

 

Exactly. I know bumblebees can fly, I just wanted to know why people say they shouldn't.

McMaster's even recanted his earlier statements:

http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~insrisg/nature/nw02/0325Insect_Flight_Myths.htm