In a pioneering discovery by researchers at Queen Mary University of London, bumblebees have demonstrated an unprecedented level of cognitive complexity. A recent study, published in Nature, unveils the bees’ ability to learn intricate, multi-step tasks through social interaction, even when they cannot independently figure out the tasks.
This challenges the conventional belief that such advanced social learning is exclusive to humans, suggesting the presence of crucial elements of cumulative culture among these insects.
Led by Dr. Alice Bridges and Professor Lars Chittka, the research team designed a two-step puzzle box requiring bumblebees to perform sequential actions to access a sweet reward. Teaching the bees this task proved challenging, necessitating the use of an interim reward to assist them. Eventually, this temporary reward was removed, requiring the bees to complete the entire sequence to obtain their treat.
Remarkably, while individual bees struggled to solve the puzzle independently, those allowed to observe a trained “demonstrator” bee quickly learned the entire sequence, including the initially unrewarded first step, receiving the reward only upon completion.
This study reveals that bumblebees possess a level of social learning previously attributed solely to humans. They can share and acquire behaviors beyond their individual cognitive capabilities, a trait thought to underlie the expansive, complex nature of human culture.
Dr. Bridges highlights the significance of this discovery, stating, “This task is exceptionally challenging for bees. They had to learn two steps to receive the reward, with the first step initially unrewarded. We initially trained demonstrator bees with a temporary reward, underscoring the complexity. Yet, other bees learned the entire sequence through social observation, even without experiencing the initial reward. However, when we allowed other bees to attempt the task without a trained demonstrator, they were unable to succeed.”
Beyond individual learning, this research offers intriguing insights into the emergence of cumulative culture in the animal kingdom. Cumulative culture involves the gradual accumulation of knowledge and skills over generations, enabling the development of increasingly complex behaviors.
Professor Chittka highlights the implications, stating, “This challenges the notion that only humans can socially learn complex behaviors beyond individual learning. It suggests that many remarkable achievements of social insects, such as nesting architectures and agricultural habits, may have spread through imitation of innovative individuals before becoming ingrained in species-specific behaviors.”
This groundbreaking research opens new avenues for understanding animal intelligence and the evolution of social learning. It challenges conventional assumptions and invites further exploration of the cognitive capabilities within the insect world, hinting at the possibility of cumulative culture among seemingly simple creatures.
