BRAINY bees can solve complex mathematical problems which keep computers busy for days, research has shown.
The insects learn to fly the shortest possible route between flowers discovered in random order.
Effectively, they are capable of solving the “travelling salesman problem” – unlike any other animal besides humans, say scientists.
The classic conundrum involves finding the shortest route that allows a travelling salesman to call at all the locations he visits.
Computers solve the problem by comparing the length of all possible routes and choosing the one that is shortest.
Bees manage to reach the same solution using a brain the size of a grass seed.
“Despite their tiny brains bees are capable of extraordinary feats of behaviour,” said Dr Nigel Raine from the University of London.
