What are bees thinking? Cognition in captive and wild bumblebees

Bumblebees have long been studied for their learning and decision-making abilities, but recent work has shown a range of ‘complex’ cognitive abilities and behaviors. UC Davis TERC welcomes Dr. Felicity Muth as she discuss her work at UC Davis Muth Lab using captive and wild bumblebees to ask questions about cognition in bees and beyond. Learn about her journey writing a children’s book about bee diversity and how it is used it to spread knowledge of native bees.

The Muth Lab work on the cognitive ecology of wild-foraging and lab-based bumblebees, focusing on cognitive abilities that have a clear function in bees’ natural environments. Current projects in the lab include investigating cognition in relation to complex floral rewards and comparative cognition in wild bumblebees. They also work on anthropogenic effects on bee behavior and cognition, in particular focusing on pesticide exposure.