Bumblebees Display Emotion-like Behaviors in New Footage

WHO:

The Guardian - Researchers from Macquarie University and Southern Medical University in China conducted the study.

The Guardian - Prof Andrew Barron, an insect behaviour researcher at Macquarie University, co-authored the paper.

The Guardian - Associate Prof Thomas White, an entomologist from the University of Sydney, commented on the study.

WHAT:

The Guardian - Bumblebees exhibit behaviors similar to "liking" and "disliking" when tasting different solutions.

The Guardian - The study involved presenting bumblebees with droplets of 60% sugar, 20% sugar, plain water, 5% salt, or quinine (1 millimolar concentration) and recording their reactions.

Phys.org - The research indicates that bumblebees display emotion-like behaviors previously thought to exist only in mammals.

WHERE:

The Guardian - The study was conducted at Macquarie University in Australia and Southern Medical University in China.

WHEN:

The Guardian - The findings were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

WHY:

The Guardian - The study aims to explore the concept of an inner life in insects, which has been a controversial topic.

The Guardian - Prof Barron stated that the findings suggest bees have subjective experiences regarding their food preferences.

HOW:

The Guardian - Researchers recorded bumblebee reactions using slow-motion video to capture their facial expressions and mouthpart movements.

The Guardian - The study tested responses with 18 colonies of bumblebees under various conditions, including heat stress and drug administration.

(UPDATED July 6, 2026 23:27 UTC)

Researchers from Macquarie University in Australia and Southern Medical University in China have found that bumblebees exhibit behaviors akin to "liking" and "disliking" when tasting different solutions, suggesting they may have subjective experiences similar to mammals. The study involved presenting bumblebees with various solutions, including 60% sugar and quinine, while recording their reactions through slow-motion video to capture their facial expressions and mouthpart movements. Co-author Professor Andrew Barron emphasized that these findings contribute to the ongoing exploration of an inner life in insects, a topic that has sparked considerable debate in the scientific community.