Spot of Understanding - Wasps pack a sting in memory

A paper wasp nest - Image from Science Daily

Maybe for a good memory your brain needs to be less than a millionth the size of a normal human brain. Atleast its the case for paper wasps. New research from the University of Michigan shows that these tiny insects can remember individuals for about a week even though they would be interacting with lots of other wasps in the meantime. The research, by graduate student Michael Sheehan and assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology Elizabeth Tibbetts, impressively proves that these wasps have a long term memory based on their social interactions. Carrying out various tests, Tibbetts showed that these wasps recognize individuals by variations in their facial markings and that they behave more aggressively toward wasps with unfamiliar faces. Aah one must think twice before offending these creatures!

Read more on the findings

Honeybees have a great memory too but in a different way