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School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences

Professor Lars Chittka talks about insects, consciousness and an ability to count

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Professor Lars Chittka and colleagues from the SBCS and Cambridge University have revealed that insects with tiny brains the size of pinheads could be as intelligent as bigger animals. In the study, the scientists found that insects were capable of intelligent behaviour and, using honeybees as an example, they showed they can count and categorise certain objects. Professor Chittka said: “Animals with bigger brains are not necessarily more intelligent. We know that body size is the single best way to predict an animal's brain size. However, contrary to popular belief, we can't say that brain size predicts their capacity for intelligent behaviour.”

Hear Professor Chittka on BBC Radio 4’s The World Tonight and see the Daily Mail and QM Press Release.

 

 

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