Bumblebees Problem-Solving Experiment

A new study proves bumblebees have spontaneous problem-solving skills, challenging the long-standing assumption that the skill is restricted to large-brained vertebrates.

Previous Spontaneous Problem-Solving Experiments

One hundred years ago, psychologist Wolfgang Köhler proved that chimpanzees could solve problems by spontaneously combining objects in new ways, i.e., stacking boxes to reach a banana. His experiments were some of the earliest and most influential demonstrations of spontaneous problem-solving in animals.

Bumble Bee Study

Currently, researchers from the University of Oulu, the University of Helsinki, and the University of Turku in Finland report similar problem-solving skills in bumblebees.

The study, published in Science,  reports that bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) solve a novel object-manipulation task without training. First, the bees learned that a blue artificial flower signaled reward.

During the experiment, the flower was moved to the ceiling of a transparent arena, out of reach. The bees had to spontaneously generate a solution by moving a ball under the flower and climb onto it to reach the flower. This was a behavioral sequence they had not previously encountered.

Senior author Olli Loukola, Docent at the University of Oulu, says, “This is essentially an insect version of the classic ‘box-and-banana’ problem. The animal must realize that an object can be repositioned and then used as a tool to reach an otherwise inaccessible goal. What stands out about the result is that this kind of spontaneous problem-solving is now demonstrated in an insect.”

“What makes this behavior especially remarkable is that the bees had never been trained to roll the ball. This was a completely new challenge. Their behavior appeared goal-directed, with successful individuals showing more directed movement patterns,” according to lead author Akshaye Bhambore from the University of Oulu.

Control Experiments Rule Out Simple Explanations

The bees learned only two pieces of information before the experiment: the blue artificial flower contained a reward, and the ball was a movable, non-threatening object.

In new situations, the bees invested prior experience with the flower and the ball in ways that went beyond the behaviors they were trained to perform.

Loukola says, “Another important aspect is that our bees were fully naïve. In many previous studies of insight-like problem-solving, the animals have had extensive experience with objects, test environments, or other problem-solving tasks. Here, the bees had never been trained to use the ball to reach the flower, and they had no previous experience with this kind of solution.

“We also designed the experiments to rule out simpler explanations based on accidental success, play behavior, trial-and-error learning, or direct visual guidance.”

For the more demanding tasks, scientists hid the flower from the bumblebees while they moved the ball to prevent them from steering toward a visible target. Even under these conditions, the bumblebees successfully moved the ball to the correct location.

According to lead author Bhambore, “By analyzing the bees’ behavior across unusually stringent control experiments, we could show that they were not simply reacting to visual stimuli or moving the ball randomly.”

“One moment the animal is exploring seemingly without direction, and the next it performs a highly efficient sequence of actions leading directly to the solution. Watching the bees solving the task was genuinely fascinating,” says co-author Ece Nur Akmese from the University of Helsinki.

There is growing evidence that bumblebees possess sophisticated cognitive abilities despite their tiny brains. Previous research indicates bees can socially learn to use tools, solve puzzles, cooperate with each other, and adapt. Researchers assert this does not imply bees have human-like reasoning or consciousness.

Loukola says, “We are not claiming that the bees think like humans. But our findings show that miniature brains can generate flexible solutions to novel problems in ways we are only beginning to understand.”

The results indicate that spontaneous, goal-directed problem-solving can occur in vastly smaller brains than those of vertebrates.

Loukola says spontaneous object-based problem-solving has been primarily studied in vertebrates. This study indicates insects also belong in the conversation.

Sources:

CNN: Are bumblebees as smart as chimps? A new problem-solving experiment makes the case
Phys.org: Bumble bees show spontaneous problem-solving, challenging big brain assumption
Yahoo: Bumblebees Have Chimp-Like Problem-Solving Abilities Despite Tiny Brains

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