How Good Is A Wasp’s Memory?
WouterUntil recently, it was thought that insects were lacking in social intelligence. But a study by researchers at the University of Michigan shows that wasps are highly intelligent. In fact, they have the capability to develop long-term memories. This ability, based on their ability to remember past social interactions, has overturned many assumptions about insect intelligence.
Researchers found that the paper wasp, Polistes fuscatus, rely on long-term memories of past social interactions to make social decisions. This includes recognizing the individual identity of a social partner. After interacting with the social partner, the wasp will remember it for at least a week. The wasp’s memory is also strong enough to allow the wasp to recognise unfamiliar faces.
The paper wasp is highly social. It can locate its nest alone or in groups. The nest is made of chewed wood. It is then surrounded by saliva, which helps protect the nest from predators. It also has a small brain, less than a million times larger than human brains. This is why it’s sting is less painful than other wasp species.
To learn more about the ability of wasps to develop long-term memories, researchers exposed the wasps to different pairs of stimuli. They then separated the wasps from each other. On the third day, the wasps were exposed to the new stimuli again.
On the eighth day, the wasps were re-introduced to each other. This time, the wasps were not as aggressive towards each other as they were the first time they were introduced. However, the wasps acted just as aggressively towards the strangers as they did towards each other when they first met. This showed that the wasps remain motivated to fight.
