Bumblebees show taste preferences with 'facial expressions,' study finds

Bumblebees clearly communicate their taste preferences through distinct facial expressions, according to a new international study. Researchers observed that when the insects find something palatable, they extend their tongues, a gesture likened to licking one's lips. Conversely, if the food is unappealing, they shake their heads and wipe their mouths.

During experiments involving sugar solutions, the bees readily extended their glossa (tongue) when presented with sweet liquids. However, when offered salty or bitter fluids, they exhibited head-shaking and mouth-wiping behaviors. The research team noted that such nuanced reactions have not been previously documented in insects.

Neuroscientist Andrew Barron, involved in the study, stated that the team observed "emotion-like behaviors" in the bees. He explained in a press release that "facial expressions are an important window into the inner states of animals," adding that this finding represents "another step toward showing that bees have an inner life."

Cognitive scientist Fei Peng commented that while many people accept that insects can perceive, learn, and make decisions, they find it harder to believe that insects can evaluate experiences as pleasant or unpleasant. The researchers also found that the bees' reactions varied depending on context, suggesting they are not mere chemical reflexes. For instance, exposure to heat caused bees to react positively to water or salty solutions, indicating they accepted the liquids due to their external circumstances.