L. Chittka

Does bumblebee preference of continuous over interrupted strings in string-pulling tasks indicate means-end comprehension?

This study investigates whether bumblebees use means-end comprehension in string-pulling tasks and finds they rely on visual matching and associative learning instead.

Noxious stimulation induces self-protective behaviour in bumblebees

This study shows bumblebees groom noxiously-stimulated antennae more than other body parts or controls, indicating they may experience pain.

Social learning of a challenging two-step action sequence fulfils key criteria of cumulative culture in an insect

This study shows bumblebees can socially learn a complex two-step action sequence they cannot independently discover, fulfilling criteria for cumulative culture in insects.

An insect's view of a numerosity illusion: a simple strategy may explain complex numerical performance in bumblebees

This study shows bumblebees can discriminate numerical ratios and are influenced by spatial arrangements, suggesting they may misperceive numerosity in an illusion similar to humans.

The establishment and transmission of novel foraging techniques indicates a capacity for culture in bumblebees (Bombus terrestris).

This study shows bumblebees can learn and transmit novel foraging techniques through social learning, indicating a capacity for culture and cultural variation.

Regular geometry and hexagonal structure of honeycomb results from the optimisation of cylindrical cells built in close proximity

This study investigates how honeybees construct hexagonal honeycomb cells through the dense packing of cylindrical cells, showing that workers reshape cells over time to achieve regularity.

Honeycomb cell walls are plastic; initially built as curves the walls are reformed by bees during subsequent construction

This study shows that honeybee comb walls start curved but can be reformed into flat sides when adjacent cells are built.

Placement of new comb cells built by honeybees is guided by sub-cell scale features to align with the existing layout

This study shows that honeybees use sub-cell scale features to align new comb cells with existing layouts, ensuring structural efficiency.

Bumblebees retrieve only the ordinal ranking of foraging options when comparing memories obtained in distinct settings

This study shows bumblebees use only ordinal memory of foraging options, not absolute reward values, when making decisions in novel pairings.

Motivational trade-offs in bumblebees

This study shows bumblebees modulate nociceptive avoidance by prioritizing higher sucrose rewards, indicating a form of pain perception through motivational trade-offs.

Discrimination of edge orientation by bumblebees

This study shows bumblebees can discriminate 7-degree angled edges better than honeybees, suggesting superior angular resolution and potential for complex visual processing.

Genomic signatures of recent adaptation in a wild bumblebee

This study identifies genomic signatures of recent adaptation in Bombus terrestris bumblebees, revealing genetic diversity and adaptive processes related to environmental interactions.

Automated video tracking and flight analysis show how bumblebees solve a pattern discrimination task using active vision

This study uses automated video tracking and flight analysis to show how bumblebees use active vision to solve a pattern discrimination task by scanning specific regions of visual stimuli.

Reward Value Is More Important Than Physical Saliency During Bumblebee Visual Search For Multiple Rewarding Targets

This study shows that bumblebees prioritize reward value over physical saliency when choosing between multiple rewarding flowers in complex environments.

Bumblebees learn a relational rule but switch to a win-stay/lose-switch heuristic after extensive training

Bumblebees initially solve a visual discrimination task using a concept-based strategy but switch to a win-stay/lose-switch heuristic after extensive training, while maintaining performance.

Honeybees adjust colour preferences in response to concurrent social information from conspecifics and heterospecifics

This study shows honeybees adjust their flower color preferences based on social information from conspecifics but not heterospecifics, altering foraging decisions.