Individual Cognitive Variation in Bombus terrestris: Evidence of Barrier Manipulation in Hive Tunnels

Bombus species are essential pollinators known for their complex foraging behaviors and advanced cognitive abilities. This study highlights the learning strategies employed by Bombus terrestris during foraging, including observational and associative learning. Fieldwork in sweet cherry orchards revealed individual bees manipulating experimental barriers, resulting in unintended double counting. This behavioral anomaly underscores cognitive variability within colonies and points to individual learning and problem-solving skills. The findings have potential implications for understanding the evolution of learning behaviors in eusocial insects and optimizing methods for assessing pollination services.