A/B Testing

Biological Parallel

Bumblebees simultaneously test different flower species, comparing nectar yield per visit time and updating preferences based on actual returns—a continuous A/B test across available options. When new flowers appear, bees sample them alongside proven sources to determine if switching improves net energy gain. A/B testing mirrors this foraging experimentation: maintain baseline option (control), test alternative (variant), measure outcome difference, adopt superior option. Evolution built statistical comparison into decision-making long before Fisher invented it.