In the present study we analysed spatial learning in Vespula germanica wasps when dealing with a walking Y-maze. We recorded the time taken to leave the maze during two consecutive visits and which of the two short arms was chosen to exit. Two treatments were conducted to evaluate whether wasps learned to leave the Y-maze guided either by spatial or visual cues. In Treatment 1, the colour of both arms remained unchanged between two consecutive visits; and in Treatment 2, the position of the coloured arm was switched after the first trial. Our results demonstrated that the time taken to exit the maze on the second trial was less than half in both treatments and wasps left the maze from the previously chosen arm, irrespective of its colour. This is the first study to demonstrate spatial learning in V. germanica wasps by using a walking Y-maze. Free flying wasps learned to enter the Y-maze on their own volition, walk through it, collect food and find their way out more rapidly after a single foraging experience. The current experimental device is suitable for the evaluation of spatial memory processes and exploratory behaviour in this species.

在本研究中，我们分析了德国胡蜂在处理步行 Y 迷宫时的空间学习。我们记录了在连续两次访问中离开迷宫所需的时间，以及选择两条短臂中的哪一条退出。进行了两种处理以评估黄蜂是否学会了在空间或视觉线索的引导下离开 Y 迷宫。在治疗 1 中，连续两次访问之间双臂的颜色保持不变；在治疗2中，在第一次试验后切换了有色手臂的位置。我们的结果表明，在第二次试验中，离开迷宫所需的时间在两种处理中都不到一半，而且无论颜色如何，黄蜂都会从先前选择的手臂离开迷宫。这是第一个展示空间学习的研究V. Germanica黄蜂使用步行 Y 型迷宫。自由飞行的黄蜂学会了自行进入 Y 型迷宫、穿过它、收集食物并在一次觅食体验后更快地找到出路。目前的实验装置适用于评估该物种的空间记忆过程和探索行为。