Bumble Bees Exhibit Playing Behaviors Using Wooden Balls

New research showed that bumble bees also enjoyed playing based on experiments, adding that bumble bees could also possess sophisticated brains and behavior.

The study conducted the first time that an insect exhibited playing behavior.

It was published in Animal Behavior, and it is available to read on the Phys.org website.

In addition, the study's first author, Samadi Galpayage, explained that the finding was mind-blowing and amusing in watching bumble bees show playing behavior.

He added that bumble bees manipulated the toys in the experiment.

Balayage is also a Ph.D. student - at the Queen Mary University of London.

To observe the bumble bees, the researchers conducted experiments.

According to the study, bumble bees revealed playing behavior by repeatedly rolling balls. However, the action of bumble bees would have no benefit or incentive for them.

The researchers said that the findings could help understand more about insects, encouraging humans to protect insects on Earth.

On the other hand, Professor Lars Chittka added that the research said that insects' minds are more sophisticated than people thought.

Chittka is also from the Professor of Sensory and Behavioral Ecology at the Queen Mary University of London and "The Mind of a Bee" book author.

Bumble bees in the environment

Bumble bees also play a significant role in the environment. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) said that bumble bees are champions as one of the key pollinators in the U.S. Pollination is important to flowers, plants, and crops.

The NWF also explained that bumble bees are social insects. They live in their colonies, where they shelter and reproduce.

The hives are amazing, with over 50 and 500 individuals present.

Also Read: Fascinating Study Uncovers How Blind Cavefish Finds Ways in the Dark

Although bumble bees are considered helpful in plants and crops, they are also declining.

According to the NWF, bumble bees show rapid decline due to climate change, habitat loss, and the use of pesticides.

Study findings

(Photo : by WOLFGANG KUMM/DPA/AFP via Getty Images)

Researchers explained that younger animals are the most playful in the animal kingdom.

The study said that, unlike older bees, young bees appeared to play more with the balls.

Additionally, the researchers observed the following:

The study noted that 45 bees were in the experiment. They could go in the unobstructed path or the path with wooden balls to reach the feeding area. Surprisingly, the bumble bees were found to roll the wooden balls, which was also recorded over 117 times in the experiment.
In the next experiment, the research showed 42 bees with the two colored chambers having movable balls and with no objects. Interestingly, the bumble bees went to the colored chamber with wooden balls.

Useful memories

In a previous report, a fascinating study showed that bumble bees had useful memories for flower options.

Bumble bees exhibited useful memories to remember which flowers are sweeter in a few minutes.

With their memories, bumble bees could look for a good source of flowers.

On the contrary, a study also said that wild bees were found in the woodland treetop and were active in their location. It is even though shaded woodlands are said to be inefficient for wild bees.