Scientists now know that bees can process time, a first in insects
7 days ago
- #bumblebees
- #animal-cognition
- #time-perception
- Bumblebees can process the duration of flashes of light to decide where to find food, a first for insects.
- Researchers used a maze with circles flashing short and long durations, associating each with sweet or bitter food.
- Bees learned to fly toward the short flash linked to sweet food, showing they process time differences.
- The study rules out bees using smell or sight of food, confirming they rely on flash duration.
- Bumblebees join humans, macaques, and pigeons in differentiating between short and long flashes (0.5 to 5 seconds).
- This ability is similar to humans interpreting Morse code (short flash = 'E', long flash = 'T').
- Bees demonstrate flexible learning by using novel stimuli (flashes) not encountered in evolution.
- Future research will explore neural mechanisms and cognitive differences among bees in colonies.
- Findings challenge the view of insects as instinct-driven, highlighting their complex cognition and inner experiences.
- The study raises questions about time perception across species and the role of brain size in cognition.