The insects can effectively solve the "traveling salesman problem" as they learn to "fly the shortest router between flowers discovered in random order."
Computers solve the "TSP" by comparing all possible routes and then choosing the shortest one.
Bees reach the same conclusion while using a brain that is about the size of a pinhead.
Says Dr. Nigel Raine: "Foraging bees solve travelling salesman problems every day. They visit flowers at multiple locations and, because bees use lots of energy to fly, they find a route which keeps flying to a minimum."
"Despite their tiny brains bees are capable of extraordinary feats of behaviour," adds Raine, via Guardian. "We need to understand how they can solve the travelling salesman problem without a computer."
Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 26 Oct 2010 21:07
