Big Bumblebees Learn Locations of Best Flowers
Published:30 Dec.2020 Source:University of Exeter
Big bumblebees take time to learn the locations of the best flowers, new research shows. Meanwhile smaller bumblebees -- which have a shorter flight range and less carrying capacity -- don't pay special attention to flowers with the richest nectar.
University of Exeter scientists examined the "learning flights" which most bees perform after leaving flowers. Honeybees are known to perform such flights -- and the study shows bumblebees do the same, repeatedly looking back to memorise a flower's location.