Cognitive approach of spatial and temporal information processing in insects

Within the theoretical framework of adaptive significance, it is often claimed that insects learn just what they are genetically programmed to learn. Consequently, because of the alleged lack of plasticity of their behaviour, many learning tests applied to insects are limited to very simple associative Stimulus-Response research paradigms. If the behaviouristic approach can explain most of the behavioural responses of insect species facing very simple situations, behaviour requires other strategies for learning and memorizing environmental information in species confronting complex and variable ecological conditions, as it is the case for many hymenoptera species. Among them, forager ants Cataglyphis cursor can discriminate, select, store and represent spatial information within a few days, allowing them to locate their remote nest in a highly controlled visual environment. They can learn something about the spatial arrangement of the landmarks configuration and accurately home even in the absence of the main visual stimulus associated to this place. Ectatomma ruidum ants are also capable to store jointly spatial and temporal information in order to schedule their feeding behaviour. Thus, the representational format of spatial and temporal memories in some insect species appears to be more subtle than is generally assumed when compared to other animal species.