Learning symbols
Research has identified bees to have the ability to remember and learn visual clues, and their location in regards to food sources (Srinivasan 2010; Chittka & Jensen 2011). As discussed in Chittka & Jensen (2011), Avarguès-Weber et al. (2011) performed a series of learning exercises in which bees were placed in a Y-shaped maze, and shown a visual clue indicating in which arm of the maze (left or right) the bee would receive a sugar treat and which would give a quinone repellent. This is illustrated in Fig. 3, where a symbol below the line constitutes a sugar supplement and above the line gives a quinone repellent (Avarguès-Weber et al. 2011). Bees also target symmetrical flowers, as they are said to represent an abundant nectar supply and symmetry is an indicator of good plant health (Srinivasan 2010).
Cover Photo- Photo by Dinkum ©.