Researchers from the University of Sheffield have developed a digital model of the bee brain and discovered that insects use movement during flight to make learning and recognizing complex visual patterns easier.

The model explained how body movements in flight help generate clear and effective electrical signals in the bee's brain. These signals enable insects to easily perceive their surroundings and accurately identify key features in their environment, such as patterns on flowers. This discovery sheds light on the high accuracy bees demonstrate in learning and recognizing complex visual patterns.

The study showed that intelligence emerges from the interaction between the brain, body, and environment. The small brain of an insect can solve complex tasks using only a limited number of neurons.

In experiments, the bee brain model was able to distinguish complex visual images, including plus and multiplication signs, by simulating the strategy of scanning the lower part of patterns. A small network of artificial neurons allowed the model to recognize human faces.

It was found that bee neurons tune themselves to specific directions and movements as they adapt to different stimuli, allowing the brain to use its resources efficiently for object recognition. The bee brain adapts to its environment without the need for immediate reinforcement.

The research was conducted in collaboration with Queen Mary University of London and published in the journal eLife.