The effects of memory and learning constraints on short-term foraging specialization in bees: An individual-based modeling approach

Floral fidelity occurs when bees or other pollinators temporarily specialize in one or few flower species while bypassing other potentially rewarding flower types. This behavior is of critical importance for the transfer of conspecific pollen and ultimately for plant reproduction. We used individual-based models to examine the mechanisms underlying floral fidelity in bees. We tested the idea that such fidelity is driven by the attempts of individual bees to optimize foraging returns within the context of limited information and constraints on learning and memory. We use the model to demonstrate how different types of memory and learning limitations affect the foraging behavior of individual bees and the colony. While we continue to refine the models and run simulations, preliminary model runs suggest that bees with the least and greatest ability to perceive and remember floral rewards exhibit lower floral fidelity, while bees with intermediate levels of knowledge and ability tend to exhibit the greatest level of fidelity. The relationship between floral fidelity, optimal foraging, and learning and memory constraints demonstrates the importance of examining the interactions of multiple cognitive and behavioral mechanisms which together influence bee foraging behavior.