LOOKING AND LEARNING - A SPATIAL PATTERN IN THE ORIENTATION FLIGHT OFTHE WASP VESPULA-VULGARIS

A spatial pattern has been found in the orientation flight that the wa sp, Vespula vulgaris, performs on its first departure from a newly dis covered feeder. The flight consists of arcs roughly centred on the fee der. Towards the end of each arc, the wasp turns to face the feeder. T hese inspection points are precisely arranged along lines extending ou t from the feeder. Hymenoptera are known to store information about th eir surroundings during orientation flights. We suggest that the infor mation is memorized during these aligned inspections and that the alig nment assists acquisition.