Within the theoretical framework of adaptive significance, it is often
claimed that insects learn just what they are genetically programmed
to learn. Consequently, because of the alleged lack of plasticity of t
heir behaviour, many learning tests applied to insects are limited to
very simple associative Stimulus-Response research paradigms. If the b
ehaviouristic approach can explain most of the behavioural responses o
f insect species facing very simple situations, behaviour requires oth
er strategies for learning and memorizing environmental information in
species confronting complex and variable ecological conditions, as it
is the case for many hymenoptera species. Among them, forager ants Ca
taglyphis cursor can discriminate, select, store and represent spatial
information within a few days, allowing them to locate their remote n
est in a highly controlled visual environment. They can learn somethin
g about the spatial arrangement of the landmarks configuration and acc
urately home even in the absence of the main visual stimulus associate
d to this place. Ectatomma ruidum ants are also capable to store joint
ly spatial and temporal information in order to schedule their feeding
behaviour. Thus, the representational format of spatial and temporal
memories in some insect species appears to be more subtle than is gene
rally assumed when compared to other animal species.