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Related Concept Videos

Problem-Solving01:29

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Biot-Savart Law: Problem-Solving00:59

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Radio Frequency Identification and Motion-sensitive Video Efficiently Automate Recording of Unrewarded Choice Behavior by Bumblebees
09:09

Radio Frequency Identification and Motion-sensitive Video Efficiently Automate Recording of Unrewarded Choice Behavior by Bumblebees

Published on: November 15, 2014

Spontaneous problem-solving in bumble bees.

Akshaye A Bhambore1, Ece N Akmeşe1, Emma Häkkinen1

  • 1Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|June 4, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Bumble bees demonstrate spontaneous problem-solving by manipulating objects to reach a goal. This challenges the idea that complex cognitive flexibility is limited to vertebrates.

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Area of Science:

  • Animal cognition
  • Behavioral ecology
  • Neuroethology

Background:

  • Cognitive flexibility, the ability to adapt behavior to novel situations, is often studied in vertebrates.
  • Spontaneous problem-solving, without prior training, is considered a key indicator of cognitive flexibility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate spontaneous problem-solving abilities in bumble bees (Bombus terrestris).
  • To determine if bumble bees can solve a novel object manipulation task without explicit training.

Main Methods:

  • Bees were trained to associate a visual cue (blue ring) with a reward.
  • A task was designed where bees needed to move an object (ball) to access a reward (flower).
  • Control experiments were conducted where the reward was not visible during the object manipulation.

Main Results:

  • Bumble bees successfully moved a ball to reach a relocated reward, even when the reward was not visible during the action.
  • Performance in control conditions suggests goal-directed behavior rather than simple associative learning.
  • Bees exhibited spontaneous problem-solving in a novel object manipulation task.

Conclusions:

  • Bumble bees possess spontaneous problem-solving capabilities.
  • These findings suggest advanced cognitive flexibility in insects.
  • The study challenges the view that complex cognition is exclusive to large-brained vertebrates.