Bumblebees Exhibit Complex Learning Once Thought Unique to Humans

For centuries, scientists have marveled at the intelligence of animals, recognizing behaviors such as tool use in crows and food washing in Japanese macaques as signs of learned culture.

However, one ability was believed to be uniquely human—the capacity to learn and perform tasks too complex to figure out independently.

This assumption has now been challenged by a surprising discovery in bumblebees.

Social Learning in Bees

A study has shown that bumblebees can solve a two-step puzzle that no individual bee could master alone.

Instead of working out the solution independently, the bees observed and copied others, demonstrating a form of cultural learning akin to human knowledge transfer.

This finding suggests that bumblebees, despite their tiny brains, can acquire skills beyond their individual cognitive capabilities by watching and learning from their peers.

Implications for Animal Intelligence

This discovery reshapes our understanding of intelligence and learning in insects.

While animals like primates and birds have demonstrated advanced learning behaviors, the idea that social insects like bumblebees could engage in such complex problem-solving was unexpected.

It challenges the notion that sophisticated learning and cultural accumulation require large brains, opening new avenues for research into cognition in small-brained animals.

A Step Toward Rethinking Culture

The study suggests that culture, defined as the transfer of behaviors across generations, may not be exclusive to humans or even large-brained animals.

Instead, it may be a widespread evolutionary advantage that aids survival in many species.

As research continues, bumblebees may help scientists unlock new insights into how intelligence evolves, not just in individuals but in societies of all sizes.

Source and video here: Nature Video

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