Bees' Facial Expressions May Reveal Their Inner Lives

Topic: Biology

Scientists studied bumblebees and found that their facial expressions can indicate what they like or dislike. The research suggests that insects may have a form of consciousness.

Imagine being able to tell if someone is enjoying their meal just by looking at their face. We do this with people all the time, but what about animals? A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that we might be able to read insects' facial expressions in a similar way.

The researchers, led by Andrew Barron from Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, China, studied bumblebees. They found that when a bee is offered a sweet treat like sugar water, it will extend its long tongue-like mouthpart called the glossa to drink it. But what's interesting is that even after the bee has finished drinking, it will continue to move its glossa in and out as if smacking its lips.

On the other hand, when a bee is offered something unpleasant like dilute salty water, it will sample it with its glossa and then back away shaking its head. This suggests that the bee's facial expressions are not just automatic responses to different tastes, but rather they are related to the bee's physiological state.

To test this, the researchers heated a bee to 40°C (104°F) for a short time, which made it dehydrated. When they offered the bee dilute salty water again, it drank thirstily and showed those glossa extensions. This shows that the bee's responses were not just about the taste of the food, but also about its need for water.

This research builds on previous work by psychologist Kent Berridge, who has shown that we can use facial expressions to read what animals like and dislike. The study suggests that insects may have a form of consciousness, which is a complex and still poorly understood concept.

Why It Matters

Understanding how insects perceive their environment could lead to new ways of communicating with them, which could be useful for farmers and conservationists.

Key Facts

• Scientists studied bumblebees in China to see if they can read their facial expressions.
• The researchers found that bees' facial expressions can indicate what they like or dislike.
• The study suggests that insects may have a form of consciousness.
• Kent Berridge's previous work showed that we can use facial expressions to read animal emotions.
• The research was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Key Terms

Glossa

A long tongue-like mouthpart found in bees.

Physiological state

A person or animal's physical condition, such as being hungry or thirsty.

Implications

Understanding how insects perceive their environment could lead to new ways of communicating with them, which could be useful for farmers and conservationists.