Cognitive architecture of a mini-brain: the honeybee

Honeybees have small brains, but their behavioural repertoire is impressive . In this article we focus on the extent to which adaptive behaviour in hon eybees exceeds elementary forms of teaming. We use the concept of modularit y of cognitive functions to characterize levels of complexity in the honeyb ee brain. We show that behavioural complexity in the honeybee cannot be exp lained by independent functions of vertically arranged, domain-specific pro cessing modules, but requires horizontal integration in a central state, an d we identify neural mechanisms that may underlie domain-specific processin g and central integration. The honeybee may serve as a useful model for the study of intermediate levels of complexity in cognitive functions and the search for their neural substrates.