Honeybees (bumblebees) are remarkably efficient decision‑makers, shaping their foraging strategies on the fly according to the information that is actually available. They keep only as many floral cues as are necessary for reliable discrimination, thereby conserving both time and energy, according to a recent study by researchers at the University of Konstanz and the University of Würzburg.
When searching for nectar and pollen, a bumblebee flies by hundreds of flowers each day, and each one presents a choice: fly over it or not. To reduce energy expenditure, the insects remember which flower types have previously yielded food. They can sense a range of attributes-colour, shape, pattern, scent, and so on.
In the experiment, the scientists trained the bees to associate particular combinations of colour and shape with a sugar solution. For example, a blue, star‑shaped flower rewarded the bee with sucrose, whereas a yellow, round flower contained only water. After several trials, the bees directed their flights toward the rewarded flowers, indicating that they had stored the relevant cues.
The key question was which information the bees actually relied on when it came time to decide. Researchers then mixed the learned attributes: the shape that had previously been rewarded appeared in a new colour. When the training colours were clearly distinguishable, the bees later based almost exclusively on colour, largely ignoring shape.
In contrast, when the colours were very similar-such as yellow and orange-the bees additionally memorised the shape or pattern of the flower. When presented later with only grey flowers, the bees chose the correct shape far more frequently. However, achieving this added discrimination required more time during earlier training.
Thus the insects appear to follow a “no more than necessary” strategy. A single cue is enough if it is unambiguous; only when the distinction becomes ambiguous do they process and store extra information. According to the researchers, this approach reduces cognitive load and conserves resources.
