Story perspectives

Bumblebees Spontaneously Solve Multi-Step Foam Puzzle

6/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Bumblebees solved a novel, multi-step obstacle-course puzzle without training, showing spontaneous problem-solving.
University of Oulu researchers reported in Science that bees rolled foam balls to obtain a sugary reward.
Around 75 percent solved the first puzzle and about 80 percent completed the later multi-step version.
Lead authors Olli Loukola and Akshaye Bhambore said the spontaneous behavior may help bees locate food, crucial because up to 95 percent of flowering plants rely on pollination.

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Story summary

Bumblebees solved a novel, multi-step obstacle-course puzzle without training, showing spontaneous problem-solving.
University of Oulu researchers reported in Science that bees rolled foam balls to obtain a sugary reward.
Around 75 percent solved the first puzzle and about 80 percent completed the later multi-step version.
Lead authors Olli Loukola and Akshaye Bhambore said the spontaneous behavior may help bees locate food, crucial because up to 95 percent of flowering plants rely on pollination.