Age and atitude: How longevity influences cognitive biases in honeybee workers

This study examines how life expectancy influences cognitive biases in
honeybee workers (Apis mellifera) and their emotional states affecting
decision-making. Recent research indicates that emotions impact behavior
and cognition in various species, including invertebrates. We conducted
three experiments to manipulate honeybee lifespan and assess its effects
on judgment biases using a classic judgment bias paradigm. In the first
experiment, we shortened the lifespan of bees through CO2 anesthesia or
thoracic puncture. The second experiment involved feeding workers Nosema
sp. spores to induce infection and evaluate its impact on survival and
judgment. The final experiment focused on "rebel workers," who
have naturally longer life expectancies. We conditioned bees to associate
specific odors with rewards and punishments, then measured their responses
to ambiguous stimuli. Results showed that bees subjected to
life-shortening treatments exhibited more optimistic cognitive biases, as
indicated by an increased likelihood of extending their proboscis to
ambiguous odors. Conversely, rebel workers with longer lifespans displayed
more pessimistic biases, indicating a cautious foraging approach. Overall,
our findings suggest that honeybee decision-making is closely tied to
their longevity, with shorter-lived individuals adopting riskier
strategies compared to their longer-lived counterparts.