Fukushima Insects Tested for Cognition Scientists are studying the impact of radioactivity on the cognitive abilities of pollinating insects such as honeybees and giant hornets in the contaminated area around Fukushima, Japan. --- Background Bees and hornets exhibit a wide range of cognitive skills including colour recognition and spatial navigation. Pollution, like pesticides, is known to impair their cognitive performance. Researchers Olivier Armant (radionuclide ecology) and Mathieu Lihoreau (ethologist focused on bee intelligence) are investigating the effects of ionising radiation on these pollinators. Armant has experience studying the ecological impact of radiation from Chernobyl and Fukushima, while Lihoreau studies bee learning and neurotoxic disturbances. --- Research Approach Automated Cognitive Testing The team uses an automated system developed with the start-up BeeGuard, which provides connected beehives enabling real-time monitoring. The system assesses bees’ learning and memory using a Y-shaped maze with branches illuminated by coloured LEDs (blue or yellow). The insect must learn to associate the correct colour with a sugar water reward. Healthy bees typically require about 10 tests to learn the correct choice. Cognitive impairment is identified by altered learning curves, indicating difficulty in associating reward with stimuli. Fieldwork in Fukushima Field studies took place in 2023 and 2024, enabled by collaboration with Fukushima University’s Institute of Environmental Radioactivity. Hives were placed along a contamination gradient based on caesium-137 soil levels. Local hornets, predators at the top of the food chain, were also studied, though tested manually in traditional mazes due to their size. Bees were individually tagged with 2-mm QR codes read by cameras which activate the maze; data are filmed, analyzed, and transmitted in real time, powered by solar panels. --- Key Findings and Observations Preliminary findings show a decline in insect cognition in more contaminated areas. Correlations between cognitive deficits and radiation levels are observed but causality is not yet established. Since the area lacks pesticide usage (due to abandonment), radiation is a likely factor affecting cognition. Cognitive impairments in bees can lead to poor foraging behavior, affecting pollination and overall ecosystem health. --- Significance and Applications The research is fundamental but has practical ecotoxicology applications: Detecting sublethal neurotoxic effects of environmental contaminants. Understanding long-term ecological impacts of nuclear accidents. Findings highlight the importance of considering subtle cognitive impairments in wildlife conservation. --- Related Links and Further Reading Of bees and men Learning from the Fukushima decontamination --- Author Martin Koppe Graduate of the School of Journalism in Lille Experienced in various science publications Degrees in art history, archaeometry, and epistemology Author's bio --- Keywords Fukushima, Insects, Radioactivity, Bees, Hornets, Pesticides, Ionising radiation, Pollinators, Chernobyl, Pollen, Caesium-137, Solar panels, Radioactive contamination