Many consider humans the only species capable of cognition and emotion. It the past even suggesting that animals might possess one or both of these capacities could result in grave consequences, including death. Over time, the response softened a bit. Imprisonment and death gave way to public ridicule and loss of one’s position in the academic community. But eventually and thanks to some intrepid sometimes covert researchers, the stigma associated with such ideas faded.
Last week’s podcast explored the topic of insect cognition, specifically that which occurs in bumblebees. The researchers in today’s study explored what makes bumblebees happy and the neuro-physiology supporting that emotion.
Most people with any will to survive intuitively recognize when bees are angry and unhappy. The study also included an experiment in which the bees underwent a sham attack by a spider-like device. It grabbed and held them with a sponge that caused the bees no physical harm. This experiment carried personal meaning for me because I routinely use a sponge to relocate bees and wasps that wind up in my house. Only in my case, I use a 4.7″ x 3″ x 1/2″ sponge (the kind that come 4 to a pack in can buy at the grocery store) and first dampen the sponge with cold water to subdue the insects. Once I fold my sponge around the insect, I carry sponge and insect gently but firmly outside. Once outside, I place the sponge in a safe place in the sun if possible. By the time the insects disentangle their feet from the sponge and warm up enough to fly, I’m gone.
(Click here to download a personal copy of the complete study)
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