Even bees feel the blues when life gets them down in the mouthparts, scientists have discovered. A study suggests the insects can display negative emotions just like humans, dogs, rats and birds.

Scientists upset a group of bees by shaking them violently to simulate an attack on the hive by a predator. Later, the way they responded to odours indicated a pessimistic outlook.

They were less likely than undisturbed bees to extend their mouthparts to an odour predicting the bitter taste of quinine. Novel odours produced the same reaction.

Researcher Geraldine Wright, from the University of Newcastle, said: “We have shown that the emotional responses of bees to an aversive event are more similar to those of humans than previously thought. READ MORE