Insects are the most numerous animals of our planet, spread almost everywhere. Sometimes, these creatures demonstrate far from ordinary abilities: some possess excellent memory, others easily plan effective routes, coping with logical tasks no worse than people. But how do they do it? Do insects have a brain? We will talk about their structure and mental talents.
Insect features
Insects are a separate class of invertebrate arthropod animals that has mastered all conceivable and inconceivable ecological niches. They live in water, can move through the air and underground and are found even in Antarctica.
The appearance and colors of insects are very diverse, and their sizes range from 0.2 millimeters to 30-40 centimeters. Their symmetrical body consists of several sections and is covered on top with a cuticle of chitin, which protects it from damage. All insects have only three pairs of legs, which distinguishes them from other arthropods. Many species have wings. But their design is very different from the wings of birds, representing thin plates pierced by veins, which play the role of a frame.
The mental ability of insects has always been a moot point. In ancient times, they were often attributed human features and considered intellectuals of the animal world. Centuries later, everything changed, and the attention of scientists was focused on mammals. With the development of neuroscience and psychology, scientists again turned their eyes to insects, seeing in them the potential for assimilation of new information.
Do insects have a brain?
In our perception, insects are often perceived as primitive creatures. In structure and behavior, it is, in fact, inferior to humans and other mammals. However, the answer to the question whether insects have a brain will be positive.
Their central nervous system is represented by a chain of ganglia nerve nodes, which are interconnected by single or paired trunks of nerve fibers. In front of the central nervous system is the brain. Of course, it does not at all resemble a human one, and is very simplified in comparison with it. The brain of insects consists of three ganglia fused to each other. Each of them represents one department:
- Protocerebrum - is responsible for vision and complex behavior.
- Deutocerebrum - is responsible for the antennae, or antennae of insects.
- Tritserebrum - is responsible for the muscles around the mouth and the activity of internal organs.
The first two sections are especially important for the interaction of insects with the outside world and their brethren. Scientists note that protocerebrum in species with more complex behavior is better developed, and the number of mushroom bodies in it, responsible for the development of stable associations, is greater. For example, in a bee near mushroom bodies occupy about 20% of the brain volume, and in a Drosophila fly, only 2%.
The deutero-cerebrum department is no less useful. He is responsible not so much for the mental abilities of animals, but for their orientation in space. The antennae of the insects that controls this department are sensory organs and perform many functions simultaneously. They can replace visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory receptors and feel the temperature of the air.
Insect mind
Now that we know if insects have a brain, let's figure out what it can do. To begin with, its dimensions are incredibly small. It can weigh only one milligram, and contain about 100 million neurons. In humans, the brain weighs 1.5-2 kilograms and contains 100 billion neurons. Despite this, insects can perform quite complex actions and are able to learn.
A large role in their life is played by the innate patterns of behavior and reaction. Compared to mammals, they have much more automated actions. But back in the last century, scientists found that the life of insects does not consist of instincts and unconditioned reflexes alone, but includes accumulated individual experience. In the case of collective insects, the experience of one individual can be transmitted to "comrades" through learning. So, ants may have their own safe trails and places for growing aphids that do not change for years.
Training
The intelligence of insects allows them to absorb new information and use it to search for food. For example, a bee perfectly distinguishes colors and remembers the location of objects. According to them, she orientates herself to return several times to the flower in which she found a lot of nectar. In addition, she remembers the time when the bud was opened.
Recent studies have shown that bumblebees are also capable of learning. At the University of London they were able to teach them to roll a ball in a designated place to get sweet syrup. After they were shown the principle of action several times, bumblebees easily remembered and repeated it.
Navigation
Insects are well oriented in space and can easily find places where they have been before. Honey bees and ants remember the situation of the location they need, as well as marker objects on the way to it. Unlike them, dung beetles cannot be stopped even by night. They rely on the stars to find the right path, namely the Milky Way, which is clearly visible in clear weather.
Bumblebees, belonging to the family of real bees, are also perfectly oriented. In addition to remembering the terrain, they are able to lay the most effective routes to feeding places. Scientists say that when solving the traveling salesman problem, they use the same schemes and algorithms that people use.