The researchers also ensured that the trade-off relied on cues (colours), which the bees had learned to associate with a higher sugar reward.īecause the bees used learnt colour cues for their decisions, the trade-off was processed in the brain, rather than peripherally.īased on the findings, the researchers suggest that insects should be be included in animal welfare laws When both feeders contained high concentrations of sucrose and one of them was heated, the bees tended to opt for the unheated feeder.īut when the heated feeder contained a higher concentration of sucrose, bees were more likely to visit it. The feeders contained different concentrations of sucrose and were marked with different colours. In this case, the bees were given the choice between either a feeder that was unheated, or one that was heated to 55☌ – noxiously hot.

In their study, the team used a 'motivational trade-off paradigm', in which animals must flexibly trade-off two competing motivations. 'We've discovered bumblebees respond to harm non-reflexively, in ways that suggest they feel pain.' 'Scientists traditionally viewed insects as unfeeling robots, which avoid injury with simple reflexes,' Ms Gibbons explained. While previous studies have shown that all vertebrates (animals with backbones) can feel pain, until now it's been unclear whether invertebrates (animals without backbones) can feel pain.

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