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Learned Characteristics of Insects

Behavior observed in insects is termed "overt behavior" and may be learned. Learned behavior is obtained through experience. Although insects lack the capacity for intelligence, they nevertheless display an intriguing selection of learned behavior, which is most noticeable among social species. Learning is a lasting change in behavior that comes about through experience. The first behaviors of insect larvae are innate, since these creatures have no prior experience. Thereafter, the insect acquires skills through observations of others in the hive or nest and through trial and error.

Classical Conditioning
- Through classical conditioning, insects learn to associate one stimulus with a totally unrelated one. Honey bees learn to associate the fragrances and colors of flowers with nectar. In behavioral research experiments, bees can be trained to associate nectar with the color of the dispenser in which it is presented. The bees will, after associating the color of the dispenser with the food source, always fly immediately to that specific container, even though it may be hidden among many other dispensers of different colors.
Habituation
- Through habituation, insects learn to ignore stimuli that are unimportant to their existence. A cockroach will immediately run away if air is blown onto its cerci. If however, the creature is not hurt in anyway during this procedure, it will respond less and less to air being blown onto it in the future. Eventually, the cockroach will stop responding altogether.
Latent Learning and Imprinting
- Through latent learning, an insect learns without receiving any apparent reward for doing so. Insects learn how best to locate their nest by making short reconnaissance flights every time they leave it. These insects commit the surrounding landmarks to memory and look out for them when they return from a foraging trip. Bees and wasps also use the patterns created by polarized light in the sky to locate their nests and feeding sites. These insects learn the new directions to each new feeding site. Bees also utilize latent learning when they follow the dance of a scout bee to locate nectar. Through imprinting, the insect learns important information about its food sources and nest site, very early in life. This programmed learning occurs only for a short period in the life of any insect.
Instrumental Learning
- Through instrumental learning, insects remember the result of previous events and change their behavior in the future. Insects will continue with the new behavior as long as they continue to experience positive results and receive positive feedback from this modified behavior. The insect will cease the new behavior if it experiences negative results.

Insects & Science