A boy plays at the feet of a statue of former South African President Nelson Mandela on Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, on October 29, 2024. (Photo by Esa Alexander/Reuters)

Show hosts Anna Faris (L) and Allison Janney dance on stage during the 2015 People's Choice Awards in Los Angeles, California January 7, 2015. (Photo by Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)

Once upon a time a myth was born that insects, unlike animals, are just a machines that not capable of learning and survive only based on their instincts. That myth has become the widespread opinion. Of course, this opinion is indeed erroneous, like many other widespread opinions. Let us try to find out which part is a myth and which part is true.

Belarusian women take a selfie as they take part in the Mrs and Miss Minsk city pageant, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Minsk, Belarus on June 26, 2020. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)

England fans react as their team scores during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Semi Final match between England and Australia, at Boxpark Wembley on August 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

A Syrian boy sells balloons as the sun sets over the Mediterranean waterfront promenade in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, August 23, 2025. (Photo by Bilal Hussein/AP Photo)

A narrow strip of clouds illuminated in the light of sunset before approaching rain clouds over an alley near Sieversdorf district Oder-Spree, Brandenburg, Germany on July 14, 2016. (Photo by Patrick Pleul/DPA)