Scientists tracking the flight of the bumblebee have been astonished by the power of the insects’ tiny brains.

Let loose to find their way among five artificial flowers in a one-kilometre wide field, the bees quickly learned which routes were the most efficient. In a surprisingly short time they drew up “flight plans” which allowed them to navigate around the flowers while using as little energy as possible.

£6m burglar takes it all

Somewhere, a burglar is living in luxury after the haul of a lifetime – although Californian police are trying to bring his life of bling to an end.

A holidaymaker returning to his home in Santa Monica found a thief had made off with more than a dozen works by artists including Piet Mondrian and Jasper Johns, five luxury watches by makers such as Patek and Breitling, wine, cash and a red Porsche Carrera.

Police said in a statement that the haul totalled more than €7.7million(£6million). They are offering an €800 reward for tips leading to arrests.

Inmates make dental claim

Some prison inmates are trying to put a $500 million (€385,000) bite on a suburban New York county in a lawsuit demanding access to dental floss.

Eleven prisoners in the Westchester County jail in Valhalla say in a federal civil rights lawsuit that they are losing their teeth and suffering pain because they are not allowed dental floss.

Several say they brush three times a day, “tongue and gums included”, but still suffer bleeding gums, constant dental work, and mental anguish.

Goat and herder wanted

Chicago O’Hare International Airport is looking to hire goats and a herder to trim its grass.

A spokesperson said the airport was launching a trial programme of 30 goats to eat grass and weeds in one hard-to-mow area.

The area was outside the security fence, so there was no danger of goats straying onto the runways, the spokesperson added.

‘Penguins’ for fares freeze

Protesters dressed as penguins staged a demonstration outside the Liberal Democrats’ annual conference yesterday, calling for a freeze on rail fares.

The demonstration by the Transport Salaried Staffs Association accused party leader Nick Clegg of breaking an election pledge to cut fares. The union said fares should be frozen rather than being hiked up .

Activists stood outside the Brighton Conference Centre with the message: “Nick: You’re Nicked For The Great Train Robbery - Freeze Rail Fares”.