Data and code for: Spontaneous problem-solving in bumblebees

Problem-solving using novel solutions without explicit training is often considered a hallmark of cognitive flexibility. We investigated whether bumble bees (Bombus terrestris) could solve a novel object manipulation task spontaneously. Bees trained to associate a blue ring ('flower'), on the floor with a reward successfully moved a ball underneath a flower relocated to the ceiling, in order to reach the flower. In control experiments, where the flower was out of sight when ball movement began and remained hidden during transport, bees still succeeded in the task. These results suggest that these were goal-directed actions rather than reinforcement-based associations driven by perceptual feedback. Our findings provide evidence that bumble bees can exhibit spontaneous problem-solving, challenging the notion that such advanced cognitive abilities are exclusive to large-brained vertebrates. , Data collection and processing Study system and housing Experiments were conducted on Bombus terrestris colonies housed in bipartite wooden nest boxes (40 × 28 × 11 cm) connected via a transparent acrylic tunnel to a flight arena. Colonies were maintained under controlled laboratory conditions (19–22 °C; 12 h light–dark cycle) and provided pollen every two days. Bees had ad libitum access to a sucrose solution during training phases. Individual foragers were identified during a 48-hour free-foraging period and marked with paint and numbered tags for individual-level tracking. Experimental design The study consisted of three experiments examining problem-solving behavior under different informational and perceptual conditions. Pre-training Depending on treatment, bees were given experience with: A visual cue (“flower”) associated with sucrose reward A movable object (Styrofoam ball) A combined interaction where bees displaced the ball to access reward Control groups received reduce..., # Data and code for: Spontaneous problem-solving in bumblebees Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.w3r22816v](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.w3r22816v) ## Description of the data and file structure These data were collected to investigate whether bumble bees (*Bombus terrestris*) can solve a novel object-manipulation task in a goal-directed manner without direct training on the solution. Across three experiments, individual bees were tested in controlled laboratory arenas where they had to move a ball to access a previously learned reward location (“flower”). The experimental design manipulated prior experience (pre-training) and the availability of perceptual feedback using physical barriers and visually occluded goal locations. Behavioral responses were recorded at the individual level, including task success, interaction with the object, and movement trajectories. The dataset enables analysis of how prior information and sensory constraints influence problem-solving performance and wheth..., ,无需明确训练即可通过全新方案解决问题，常被视为认知灵活性的标志性特征。本研究旨在探究熊蜂（*Bombus terrestris*）能否自发完成新型物体操控任务。先前已接受训练、将地面上的蓝色环形"花朵"与奖励建立联结的熊蜂，成功将小球移动至被移至天花板的"花朵"下方，以此获取奖励。在对照实验中，当小球开始移动时"花朵"处于不可见状态，且移动过程中始终被遮挡，熊蜂仍成功完成了任务。上述结果表明，此类行为属于目标导向的行动，而非由感知反馈驱动的强化联结。本研究结果证实熊蜂可展现自发问题解决能力，对"此类高级认知能力仅为大脑容量较大的脊椎动物所独有"的观点提出了挑战。 ## 数据采集与处理 ### 实验系统与饲养 实验对象为饲养于分体式木质巢箱（40 × 28 × 11 cm）的熊蜂（*Bombus terrestris*）蜂群，巢箱通过透明亚克力隧道连接至飞行测试场。蜂群在受控实验室条件下饲养：温度19–22 ℃，光暗周期12小时，每两日投喂一次花粉。训练阶段中，熊蜂可自由取食蔗糖溶液。 在48小时的自由觅食期内，研究者对个体觅食蜂进行识别，并通过涂漆与编号标签进行标记，以实现个体水平的追踪。 ### 实验设计 本研究包含三项实验，旨在探究不同信息与感知条件下的问题解决行为。 #### 预训练 根据处理组设置，熊蜂接受以下一类或多类经验： 1. 与蔗糖奖励相关联的视觉提示（"花朵"） 2. 可移动物体（聚苯乙烯泡沫小球） 3. 熊蜂移动小球以获取奖励的联合互动场景 对照组则接受减少[...]（原文此处内容未完整给出）。 # 用于熊蜂自发问题解决研究的数据与代码 数据集DOI：[10.5061/dryad.w3r22816v](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.w3r22816v) ## 数据与文件结构说明 本数据集采集自一项探究熊蜂（*Bombus terrestris*）能否在未接受该解决方案直接训练的情况下，以目标导向的方式完成新型物体操控任务的研究。在三项实验中，个体熊蜂均在受控实验室测试场中接受测试，需移动小球以抵达此前已习得的奖励位置（"花朵"）。 实验设计通过物理屏障与视觉遮挡目标位置的方式，操控了熊蜂的前置经验（预训练）与感知反馈的可获得性。研究以个体水平记录了行为响应，包括任务完成情况、与物体的互动情况以及运动轨迹。 本数据集可用于分析前置信息与感知约束如何影响问题解决表现，以及[...]（原文此处内容未完整给出）。