Evidence of Possible Quantum Processes in Social Insects
Keywords:
Abelhas, Cupins, FormigasAbstract
Recent research in quantum biology suggests that subatomic phenomena, such as quantum coherence and electron tunneling, may play a role in complex biological processes. In social insects, such as bees, ants, and termites, such effects may be related to navigation, communication, and the energetic efficiency of their physiological and behavioral systems. This paper presents a review of evidence for possible quantum processes in social insects, highlighting their relevance for understanding collective organization, ecology, and potential applications in biomimetics and emerging technologies. Social insects represent examples of highly efficient collective organization, with coordinated behaviors that emerge from local interactions. Although such phenomena are traditionally explained by neuroethological and ecological mechanisms, recent studies point to the hypothesis that quantum effects may play a role in processes such as magnetic sensing for spatial orientation; energy transport efficiency in sensory processes; and chemical and electrical communication modulated by coherence states. To this end, we conducted a brief bibliographic review of articles on quantum biology, insect neuroscience, and social ethology, with an emphasis on works on pollinators (bees) and building insects (termites and ants). We observed that experimental studies and theoretical models that explore the interface between quantum physics and animal behavior have already been analyzed. Magnetic navigation is demonstrated, with evidence in bees, which in turn suggests that proteins such as cryptochromes can act as magnetic sensors based on radical pairs, a mechanism dependent on quantum coherence. Vision and photosensitivity play a role in the ultrafast detection of photons by photoreceptors, which may involve quantum states that increase the efficiency of vision in low light. Chemical communication supports the hypothesis that pheromone perception occurs through electronic tunneling mechanisms, which would explain high olfactory selectivity. Collective energy efficiency maintains thermal regulation in termite nests and bee colonies, reminiscent of physical systems that seek minimum energy states, with parallels to the physics of collective quantum systems. Biomimetics also plays a role: understanding such processes can inspire advances in bioinspired quantum computing, magnetic sensors, and decentralized communication networks. Although not conclusive, evidence of quantum processes in social insects broadens our understanding of the interface between physics, biology, and ecology. Investigating these phenomena may not only reveal new aspects of the evolution of collective behavior but also generate technological innovations inspired by nature. The Brazilian semiarid region, with its rich diversity of native bees and social insects, constitutes a living laboratory for interdisciplinary studies in this area.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Aline Carla de Medeiros, Rossino Ramos de Almeida, Carlos Ticiano Coutinho Ramos, Camila Vieira de Sousa Gurjão, Patricio Borges Maracaja (Autor)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Termo de cessão de direitos autorias
Esta é uma revista de acesso livre, em que, utiliza o termo de cessão seguindo a lei nº 9.610/1998, que altera, atualiza e consolida a legislação sobre direitos autorais no Brasil.
O(s) autor(es) doravante designado(s) CEDENTE, por meio desta, publica a OBRA no Caderno Verde de Agroecologia e Desenvolvimento Sustentável, representada pelo Grupo Verde de Agroecologia e Abelhas (GVAA), estabelecida na Rua Vicente Alves da Silva, 101, Bairro Petrópolis, Cidade de Pombal, Paraíba, Brasil. Caixa Postal 54 CEP 58840-000 doravante designada CESSIONÁRIA, nas condições descritas a seguir:
O CEDENTE declara que é (são) autor(es) e titular(es) da propriedade dos direitos autorais da OBRA submetida.
O CEDENTE declara que a OBRA não infringe direitos autorais e/ou outros direitos de propriedade de terceiros, que a divulgação de imagens (caso as mesmas existam) foi autorizada e que assume integral responsabilidade moral e/ou patrimonial, pelo seu conteúdo, perante terceiros.
O CEDENTE mantêm os direitos autorais e concedem à revista o direito de divulgação da OBRA, com o trabalho simultaneamente licenciado sob a Licença Creative Commons do tipo atribuição CC-BY.
O CEDENTE têm autorização para distribuição não-exclusiva da versão do trabalho publicada nesta revista.
O CEDENTE têm permissão e são estimulados a publicar e distribuir seu trabalho online (ex.: em repositórios institucionais ou na sua página pessoal) a qualquer ponto antes ou durante o processo editorial, já que isso pode gerar alterações produtivas, bem como aumentar o impacto e a citação do trabalho publicado.
