I "rehabilitated" a bee this way a while back (hydration, sugarwater, and a very mild heat source). Beedude was lethargic and spent the night in a container inside.

When I released beedude the next day I saw the coolest thing: it flew up, made several circles in the air, and then flew off with determination. I am not an entomologist but it seemed exactly like what I would expect from something "calibrating its compass"/finding its bearings. Super cool!

[–] [email protected] 9 points 9 months ago

Yup, we had a similar thing, but didn't need long to get going again. It first refused the sugar water, then realised and drank a surprising amount all while laying down, then suddenly started waving it's legs around like it had just discovered them, took a couple of false starts and took off. In the air it did exactly what you describe, circling to get it's bearings then heading off. It definitely appeared slightly drunk though.

I like to think it got back to the nest, still slightly wired from a sugar, and desperately tried to tell it's hivemates about this great foraging spot with a waggle dance: "guys, guys you've got to try this new spot, it's got grrreat sugar!" "Where?" "Err, no idea, my head is still buzzing from the good stuff."

[–] aulin 5 points 9 months ago

it seemed exactly like what I would expect from something "calibrating its compass"/finding its bearings.

Or it was dancing a thank you message to you before taking off.