How Do Wasps Recognise Landmarks?
WouterDespite their diminutive size, paper wasps exhibit surprisingly complex social behaviour. These nocturnal insects form hierarchies that determine share of reproduction and shares of food. They also have a long memory and use facial recognition to recognise other paper wasps.
One of the most recognizable aspects of wasps is their elaborate nest finding flights. These spritelike insects will emerge from their winter hibernation enclosures when the temperatures begin to rise. Some species will even venture out of their winter enclosures as early as March at lower elevations.
Earlier this year, scientists from the Australian National University published a study revealing how some wasps use landmarks to navigate. The study was conducted by Dr Jochen Zeil and his team of wasp experts. They used high-speed cameras to track the movements of wasps and build a 3D model of their flight path. They also observed the changes in the wasps’ eyes.
The study reveals how these nocturnal insects use landmarks to guide their flight path, which is often a circuitous route that requires them to visually identify distinctive features around a nest. In some cases, this may be as simple as a bright patch of sky or a tree.
The paper wasp also can recognise human faces, although the ability is not limited to humans. It’s also possible that the wasp is able to learn to recognise humans through social cues, although these are not yet known.
Although the paper wasp is not yet able to claim the glory of the newest technology, the paper wasp can show the shortest distance from its nest to a destination, a feat it has done successfully for thousands of years.
