Bumblebees signal taste pleasure by sticking out tongues

Researchers at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, conducted experiments on buff-tailed bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) to observe how they signal taste preferences. The study found that bees repeatedly stick out their glossa, or hairy tongues, when consuming sugar water, suggesting a signal of pleasure.

In contrast, bees reacted negatively to salt or quinine by wiping their mouths and shaking their heads. However, when dehydrated by heat, the bees stuck out their tongues even for salty droplets, indicating that rehydration needs can override taste preferences.

Chemical analysis showed that while dopamine influenced motivation, it did not trigger the tongue-sticking behavior. Conversely, bees treated with endocannabinoids stuck their tongues out readily, suggesting these chemicals increase the “liking” of food. Researchers concluded these findings indicate that bumblebees possess an “inner life” rather than operating solely as robotic entities.