How does a bee wolf wasp learn the location of its nest?

The bee wolf wasp (Philanthus triangulum) learns the location of its nest through a process of instinctive learning, as its genes do not provide it with the specific knowledge of the landmark array surrounding its burrow.1

After excavating a nest and preparing to leave to hunt for prey, the wasp performs an elaborate departure flight. Instead of flying away immediately, she hovers over the nest site and flies in increasingly wider arcs to scan the surrounding area. During this flight, she memorizes the specific configuration of local landmarks, such as trees, tufts of grass, and sticks. Upon returning from her hunting trip, the wasp uses this memorized information to pinpoint the exact location of her nest.1

This behavior illustrates that while animals are genetically predisposed to acquire specific information, they must still learn details that depend on the particular circumstances of their environment to ensure their survival and reproductive success.1