Insights into insect cognition through mirror-induced behaviour in paper wasps

What is it about?

When you look in a mirror, who do you see? Humans become self-aware at a young age, and recent studies suggest various animals have mirror self-recognition, including some mammals, birds, and even fish. However, a big unknown is whether invertebrate animals have self-awareness. This may seem unlikely, but new studies suggest invertebrates are far more intelligent and complex than once thought. This study explored how Polistes paper wasps respond when presented with a mirror. These insects are commonly observed on small paper nests in parks or on homes. They live in colonies, with complex social lives that involve dominance fights, social learning, and even facial recognition. When presented with mirrors, paper wasp queens spent a lot of time touching and exploring with their antennae. When paint marks were placed on wasps’ faces, these same exploratory behaviors increased. However, wasps did not show the hallmark of self-awareness-- cleaning the mark in front of the mirror. Although wasps did not show self-awareness, the study is revealing about wasp minds. Wasps were highly in tune to changes in their visual environment (mirrors, marks). Wasps are not “machines” that are programmed behave in limited and stereotyped ways. Instead, they explore novel stimuli and can notice even subtle changes to their own appearance. This work adds to our growing understanding that invertebrate minds are capable of perceiving and responding to rich detail and novelty in their world._x000D_ _x000D_

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