Dung Beetles Navigate Using a Celestial ‘Snapshot’

The lowly dung beetle uses a “snapshot” of the stars to navigate. Researchers at Lund University say the insects “use the light of the Milky Way to navigate in the world.” Dung beetles build and then mount balls of animal waste, upon which they "dance" - spinning around - and then roll it, in a straight line, back to their lair where it is used as food and a nursery for their offspring. Researchers say the beetles are able to navigate by taking a “snapshot” of the stars...

© La Voix de l'Amérique - vendredi 13 mai 2016