When asked to give an example of how he came to his theory on insect intelligence, Lee described the behavior of one female wasp. He watched the wasp complete its task of covering a nest with mud and begin covering another nest at a new location. From time to time Lee witnessed the wasp become what he described as absent-minded and forget that it had completed the first nest. The wasp would fly toward the first nest, until just before landing when it would remember the job was completed. It would then change direction and move toward the second nest to continue its work.
"If an insect can forget and then remember what it had forgotten, then something more than simple biological instinct is taking place," he said.
He has never sent his theory to a scientific journal to be evaluated, although he has received praise from entomologists at home and abroad.
Canadian entomologist Christopher Starr encountered Lee's first book while in Taiwan as a visiting lecturer. Impressed by the research, Starr encouraged him to send his findings to the scientific community for publication. Lee explained he is no longer interested in defending his theory for scientists, but not for lack of experience -- he has published many articles in the Journal of Economic Entomology.
"I want to do something good to enrich everyone, not only scientists," he said. He is currently working on an updated English edition to his first book.
When asked if his theory dictated vegetarianism or organic farming, he replied, "It's all theory and practice. Everyday I eat meat and fish so how can I say `Don't kill insects?' It would be hypocritical."
His opinion on using pesticides as a source of insect control is that it has become a necessary evil for many farmers to make a living, but he hopes growing interest in organic farming will eventually fade out the use of poisonous chemicals.
"Every living creature has a right to live. We don't need to change the way we live, just the way we think. We think we are the masters of this planet, but we share this world with others, so we should stop behaving like we rule it," he said.
A little more respect and compassion for our little neighbors won't solve all the problems of the world, he added, but it would help.
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