When put to tests, bees have long proved that they’ve got a lot more to offer than pollinating (授粉), making honey and being loyal to a queen. The hard-working insects can change their behavior when things seem difficult, and now some scientists find there is proof that they also like to play.
Scientists from Queen Mary University of London performed an experiment, in which they set up a container that allowed bees to travel from their nest to a feeding area. But along the way, the bees could choose to pass through a separate section with some small wooden balls. Over 18 days, the scientists watched as the bees “went out of their way to roll wooden balls repeatedly, despite no apparent incentive (刺激) to do so.”
Earlier studies have shown that the black and yellow bugs are willing to learn new tricks in exchange for food or other rewards. In this case, to get rid of external factors, scientists made sure the bees had adapted to their new home and that their environment was stress-free.
The finding suggests that like humans, insects also interact with objects as a form of play. Also similar to people, younger bees seem to be more playful than adult bees. “This research provides a strong indication that insect minds are far more complicated than we imagine. There are lots of animals who play just for the purpose of enjoyment, but most examples come from young mammals and birds,” said Lars Chittka, a professor of sensory and behavioral ecology at Queen Mary University of London, who led the study.
The study’s first author. Samadi Galpay, who is a PhD student at Queen Mary University of London, states that it is more evident that bees may be capable of experiencing feelings. “They may actually experience some kind of positive emotional states, even if basic, like other larger animals do. This finding has effects on our understanding of the sense and welfare of insects, which, consequently, encourages us to respect and protect wildlife on Earth ever more,” she says.
【小题1】What is the new finding about bees?| A．They are fond of having fun. | B．They are faithful to the queen. |
| C．They are adaptable to changes | D．They are skilled at rolling balls. |
| A．By teaching bees new tricks. | B．By rewarding bees with food. |
| C．By making bees feel at home. | D．By building new homes for bees |
| A．The forms of bees’ interaction. | B．The complexity of bees’ minds. |
| C．The examples of mammals’ play. | D．The purpose of mammals’ enjoyment. |
| A．It backs up prior understanding of insects. |
| B．It reveals reasons for bees’ positive feelings. |
| C．It drives research on animals’ emotional state. |
| D．It contributes to wildlife conservation on Earth. |
