Abstract
Individual experience with environmental stimuli leaves multiple traces of neuronal plasticities in the nervous system. Receptors adapt to prolonged stimulation; neural circuits habituate to repeated stimuli and dishabituate or sensitize to arousing stimuli; and new functional connections are formed or existing ones abolished by associative and latent learning. What are the rules of neural plasticity and how do they relate to the biological constraints under which they have evolved? The neuroethological approach taken in the study of honey bee learning and memory tries to understand the neuronal mechanisms of the multiple memory traces as adaptations to the particular demands of foraging by a generalist pollinating insect. The study of the functional dynamics of memory thus serves two goals: to unravel the informational sources which guide the sequences and time dependencies of the animal’s choice behavior, and to better understand the neural correlates of the various forms of memory.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bitterman, M.E. 1988. Vertebrate-invertebrate comparisons. NATO ASI Ser.Intell. Evol. Biol. 17:251–275.
Carew, T.J., Abrams, T.W., Hawkins, R.D. and Kandel, E.R. 1984. The use of simple invertebrate systems to explore psychological issues related to associative learning. In D.L. Alkon and J. Farley (eds.), Primary Neural Substrates of Learning and Behavioral Change. Cambridge University Press, New York, pp. 169–183.
Colwill, R.M., and Rescorla, R.A., 1988. The role of response-reinforcer associations increases throughout extended instrumental training. Anim. Learn. Be-hay. 16:105–111.
Ebbinghaus, M. 1885. Über das Gedächtnis. K. Buehler, Leipzig. Erber, J. 1972. The time-dependent storing of optical information in the honeybee. In R. Wehner (ed.), Information Processing in the Visual Systems of Arthropods. Springer, Berlin-Heidelberg-New York, pp. 309–314.
Erber, J. 1975a. The dynamics of learning in the honeybee (Apis mellifera carnica). I. The time dependence of the choice reaction. J. Comp. Physiol. 99:231–242.
Erber, J. 1975b. The dynamics of learning in the honeybee (Apis mellifica carnica). II. Principles of information processing. J. Comp. Physiol. 99:243–255.
Erber, J., Masuhr, T. and Menzel, R., 1980. Localization of short-term memory in the brain of the bee, Apis mellifera. Physiol. Entomol. 5:343–358.
Fabre 1879. Souvenirs entomologiques. Paris.
Forel, A. 1910. Das Sinnesleben der Insekten. Reinhardt, München.
Frisch, K. v. 1967. The Dance Language and Orientation of Bees. Harvard University Press, Cambridge.
Garcia, J., and Koelling, R.A., 1966. Relation of cue to consequence in avoidance learning. Psychol. Sci 4:124–124.
Gormezano, I. 1984. The study of associative learning with CS-CR paradigms. In D.L. Alkon and J. Farley (eds.), Primary Neural Substrates of Learning and Behavioral Change. Cambridge University Press, New York, pp. 5–24.
Gould, J.L., and Marier, P. 1984. Ethology and the natural history of learning. In P. Marler and H.S. Terrace (eds.), The Biology of Learning. Springer-Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg-New York, pp. 47–74.
Greggers, U. 1989. Optimizing strategies in choice behavior in the honey bee. In J. Erber, R. Menzel, H.J. Pflüger, and D. Todt (eds.), Neural Mechanisms of Behavior—Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress of Neuroethology. Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart-New York, p. 219.
Greggers, U., and Menzel, R. Memory dynamics and the foraging strategy of honey bees. Behay. Ecol. Sociobiol, in press.
Griffin, D.R. 1984. Animal Thinking. Harvard University Press, Harvard.
Grossman, K.E. 1971. Belohnungsverzögerung beim Erlernen einer Farbe an einer künstlichen Futterstelle durch Honigbienen. Z. Tierpsychol. 29:28–41.
Hawkins, R.D. and Kandel, E.R. 1984. Is there a cell-biological alphabet for simple forms of learning? Psychol. Rev. 91:375–391.
Heinrich, B. 1979. Resource heterogeneity and patterns of movement in foraging bumble bees. Oecologia 40:235–245.
Heinrich, B. 1983. Do bumble bees forage optimally, and does it matter? Am. Zool. 23:273–281.
Heinrich, B. 1984. Learning in Invertebrates. In P. Marler and H.S. Terrace (eds), The Biology of Learning. Dahlem Konferenzen. Springer-Verlag, New York, pp. 135–147.
Houston, A., Kacelnik, A., and McNamara, J. 1982. Some learning rules for acquiring information. In J. McFarland (ed.), Functional Ontogeny. Plenum Press, London, pp. 140–191.
Hull, C.L. 1934. Learning II: The factor of the conditioned reflex. In C. Murchison (ed.), Handbook of General Experimental Psychology. Clark University Press, Worcester.
Hull, C.L. 1943. Principles of Behaviour. Appleton-Century-Crofts, New York.
Kamin, L.J. 1969. Selective association and conditioning. In W.K. Honig (ed.), Fundamental Issues in Associative Learning. Dalhousie University Press, Halifax.
Kiltermann, R. 1969. Lern-und Vergessensprozesse bei der Honigbiene—aufgezeigt anhand von Duftdressuren. Z. Vergl. Physiol 63:310–334.
Krebs, J.R. Kacelnik, A., and Taylor, P. 1978. Test of optimal sampling by foraging great tits. Nature 275:27–31.
Kuwabara, M. 1957. Bildung des bedingten Reflexes von Pavlovs Typus bei der Honigbiene, Apis mellifera. J. Fac. Sci. Hokkaido Univ. Ser. VI Zool 13:458–464.
Lindauer, M. 1955. Schwarmbienen auf Wohnungssuche. Z. Vergl. Physiol. 37:263–324.
Lindauer, M. 1959. Angeborene und erlernte Komponenten in der Sonnenorientierung der Bienen. Z. Vergl. Physiol. 42:43–62.
MacArthur, R.H., and Pianka, E.R. 1966. On optimal use of patchy environment. Am. Nat. 100:603–609.
Maynard Smith, J. 1978. Optimization theory in evolution. Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 9:31–56.
Meineke, H. 1978. Umlernen einer Honigbiene zwischen gelb-und blau-Belohnung im Dauerversuch. J. Insect Physiol. 24:155–163.
Menzel, R. 1967. Untersuchungen zum Erlernen von Spektralfarben durch die Honigbiene (Apis mellifica). Z. Vergl. Physiol. 56:22–62.
Menzel, R. 1968. Das Gedächtnis der Honigbiene für Spektralfarben. I Kurzzeitiges und langzeitiges Behalten, Z. Vergl. Physiol. 60:82–102.
Menzel, R. 1969. Das Gedächtnis der Honigbiene für Spektralfarben. II. Umlernen und Mehrfachlernen. Z. Vergl. Physiol. 63:290–309.
Menzel, R. 1979. Behavioral access to short-term memory in bees. Nature 281:368–369.
Menzel, R. 1984. Short-term memory in bees. In D.L. Alkon and I. Farley (eds.), Primary Neural Substrates of Learning and Behavioral Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 259–274.
Menzel, R. 1985. Learning in honey bees in an ecological and behavioral context. In B. Hölldobler and M Lindauer (eds.), Experimental Behavioral Ecology. Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart, pp. 55–74.
Menzel, R. 1987. Memory traces in honeybees. In R. Menzel and A. Mercer (eds.), Neurobiology and Behavior of Honeybees. Springer, Berlin, pp. 310–325.
Menzel, R. 1990. Learning, memory and “cognition” in honey bees. In R.P. Kesner and D.S. Olten (eds.), Neurobiology of Comparative Cognition. Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ, pp. 237–292.
Menzel, R. and Erber, J. 1972. The influence of the quantity of reward on the learning performance in honeybees. Behavior 41:27–42.
Menzel, R., Erber, J. and Masuhr, T. 1974. Learning and memory in the honey bee. In L. Barton-Browne (ed.), Experimental Analysis of Insect Behavior. Springer, Berlin, pp. 195–217.
Menzel, R. and Greggers, U. 1992. Temporal dynamics and foraging behavior in honeybees. In J. Billen (ed.), Biology and Evolution of Social Insects. Leuven University Press, Leuven.
Menzel, R. and Sugawa, M. 1986. Time course of short-term memory depends on associative events. Naturwissenschaften 73:564–565.
Müller, G.E., and Pilzecker, A., 1900. Experimentelle Beiträge zur Lehre vom Gedächtnis. Z. Psychol. 1:1–288.
Pavlov, I.P. 1967. Lectures on conditioned reflexes. International Publishers, New York.
Pleasants, J.M. 1981. Bumblebee response to variation in nectar availability. Ecology 62:1648–1661.
Pyke, G.H. 1978a. Optimal foraging: movement patterns of bumble bees between inflorescences. Theor. Popul. Biol. 13:72–98.
Pyke, G.H. 1978b. Optimal foraging in bumblebees and coevolution with their plants. Oecologia 36:281–293.
Pyke, G.H. 1984. Optimal foraging theory: A critical review. Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 15:523–575.
Rescorla, R.A. 1967. Pavlovian conditioning and its proper control procedures. Psychol Rev. 74:71–80.
Rescorla, R.A. 1988. Behavioral studies of pavlovian conditioning. Annu. Rev. Neurosci. 11:329–352.
Rescorla, R.A. and Holland, P.C. 1982. Behavioral studies of associative learning in animals. Annu. Rev. Psychol 33:265–308.
Rescorla, R.A. and Wagner, A.R. 1972. A theory of classical conditioning: Variations in the effectivness of reinforcement and non-reinforcement. In A.H. Black and W.F. Prokasy (eds.), Classical Conditioning. II: Current Research and Theory. Appleton-Century Crofts, New York, pp. 64–99.
Schmid-Hempel, P. 1984. The importance of handling time for the flight directionality in bees. Behay. Ecol. Sociobiol. 15:303–309.
Schmid-Hempel, P. 1985a. How do bees choose flight direction while foraging? Physiol. Entomol. 10:439–442.
Schmid-Hempel, P. and Schmid-Hempel, R. 1985b. Nectar-collecting bees use distant-sensitive movement rules. Anim. Behay. 34(2):605–607.
Schreurs, B.G. 1989. Classical conditioning of model systems: A behavioral review. Psychobiology 17:145–155.
Seeley, T.D. 1985. Honeybee ecology. A study of adaptation in social life. Princeton University Press, Princeton.
Smith, B., and Menzel, R. 1989. An analysis of variability in the feeding motor program of the honey bee: The role of learning in releasing a modal action pattern. Ethology 82:68–81.
Squire, L., and Cohen, N. 1982. Remote memory, retrograde amnesia and the neuropsychology of memory. In L.S. Cermak (ed.), Human Memory and Amnesia. Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ, pp. 275–303.
Vareschi, E. 1971. Duftunterscheidung bei der Honigbiene-Einzelzell-Ableitungen and Verhaltensreaktionen. Z. Vergl Physiol. 75:143–173.
Waddington, K.D. 1985. Cost-intake information used in foraging. J. Insect Physiol: 31:891–889.
Waddington, K.D. Allen, T. and Heinrich, B. 1981. Floral preferences of bumble bees (Bombus edwardsii) in relation to intermittent versus continuous rewards. Anim Behay. 29:779–784.
Waddington, K.D., and Holden, L.R. 1979. Optimal foraging: On flower selection by bees. Am. Nat. 114:179–196.
Weiskrantz, L. 1970. A long-term view of short-term memory in psychology. In G. Horn and R.A. Hinde (eds.), Short-Term Changes in Neural Activity and Behavior. Cambridge Univ. Press, London, pp. 63–74.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1993 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Menzel, R., Greggers, U., Hammer, M. (1993). Functional Organization of Appetitive Learning and Memory in a Generalist Pollinator, the Honey Bee. In: Papaj, D.R., Lewis, A.C. (eds) Insect Learning. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2814-2_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2814-2_4
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-6216-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-2814-2
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive