Social Learning in Bumblebees (Bombus impatiens) : Worker Bumblebees Learn to Manipulate and Forage at Artificial Flowers by Observation and Communication within the Colony
Joint Authors
Kevan, Peter G.
Mirwan, Hamida B.
Source
Issue
Vol. 2013, Issue 2013 (31 Dec. 2013), pp.1-8, 8 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2013-11-10
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
8
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Social learning occurs when one individual learns from another, mainly conspecific, often by observation, imitation, or communication.
Using artificial flowers, we studied social learning by allowing test bumblebees to (a) see dead bumblebees arranged in foraging positions or (b) watch live bumblebees actually foraging or (c) communicate with nestmates within their colony without having seen foraging.
Artificial flowers made from 1.5 mL microcentrifuge tubes with closed caps were inserted through the centres of blue 7 cm plastic discs as optical signals through which the bees could not forage.
The reinforcer reward syrup was accessible only through holes in the sides of the tubes beneath the blue discs.
Two colonies (A and B) were used in tandem along with control (C and D) colonies.
No bee that was not exposed (i.e., from the control colonies (C and D)) to social learning discovered the access holes.
Inside colony B, we imprisoned a group of bees that were prevented from seeing or watching.
Bees that saw dead bumblebees in foraging positions, those that watched nest-mates foraging, and those that had only in-hive communication with successful foragers all foraged successfully.
The means of in-hive communication are not understood and warrant intense investigation.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Mirwan, Hamida B.& Kevan, Peter G.. 2013. Social Learning in Bumblebees (Bombus impatiens) : Worker Bumblebees Learn to Manipulate and Forage at Artificial Flowers by Observation and Communication within the Colony. Psyche،Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-497204
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Mirwan, Hamida B.& Kevan, Peter G.. Social Learning in Bumblebees (Bombus impatiens) : Worker Bumblebees Learn to Manipulate and Forage at Artificial Flowers by Observation and Communication within the Colony. Psyche No. 2013 (2013), pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-497204
American Medical Association (AMA)
Mirwan, Hamida B.& Kevan, Peter G.. Social Learning in Bumblebees (Bombus impatiens) : Worker Bumblebees Learn to Manipulate and Forage at Artificial Flowers by Observation and Communication within the Colony. Psyche. 2013. Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-497204
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-497204