These Hornets Have Solar Powered Bodies [Hornets]

Solar power is usually pretty exciting as it reaches increasingly places in our lives-a future without fossil fules! But what if solar power also means getting stung more? Take oriental hornets -buzzing around with built-in solar panels .

German researchers have discovered that a yellow component of oriental hornets’ bodies isn’t just decorative, but rather contains a microscopic network of depressions that trap the sun’s rays-converting them into energy. It’s like they’ve a tiny little solar generator strapped to their backs. It also explains why the hornets are most active in the course of the day, choosing to build nests when the sun is at its peak. More sun equals more digging power. [ TreeHugger ]

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This post is tagged: depressions, fossil fules, german researchers, solar generator, solar panels