drug-sniffing bees

[low_delta]

Bees and wasps are trained using classical conditioning, being exposed to a particular odour and then rewarded with a sugar solution. Within five minutes they learn to associate the smell with an impending supply of food and this triggers the proboscis extension reflex (sticking out their tongues).

Trained hymenoptera have been shown to successfully detect explosive materials including TNT, Semtex, and C-4 as well as gunpowder and propellants. Wasps can be trained to detect the early signs of fungal disease on crops and may have medicinal value, identifying people with cancer just by being exposed to their breath. Bees have been shown to detect and respond to more than 60 different odours including methamphetamine, uranium, and tuberculosis. They have been used to detect lung and skin cancers, diabetes, and to confirm pregnancy.

Comments

[emschin.livejournal.com]

How interesting! Bees are really useful creatures, arent they. Besides the honey, and the honey comb for other things, the list of things you mentioned is amazing!