Molly Swindall, 30, who travelled from the United States to meet Moo Deng for the third time, reacts as she takes a selfie with the one-year-old female pygmy hippo, who became a viral internet sensation last year, and her mother Jona, at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand, on July 10, 2025. (Photo by Chalinee Thirasupa/Reuters)

A robot using artificial intelligence is displayed at a stand during the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, on May 30, 2024. Humanity is in a race against time to harness the colossal emerging power of artificial intelligence for the good of all, while averting dire risks, a top UN official said. (Photo by Fabrice Coffrini/AFP Photo)

Adult gentoo penguins keep an eye on their newly born chick at Edinburgh Zoo on June 10, 2011 in Edinburgh, Scotland. The gentoo chicks which started hatching in early May are looked after by both parents who regurgitate part digested food. When the chicks are hungry they peck the beaks of their parents to signal feeding time. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

The world's biggest copy of the Mona Lisa is unveiled on October 28, 2009 in Wrexham, Wales The giant version of Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece measures 17.5 metres across and is 50 times bigger than the original painting and was created by community groups in Wrexham and artist Katy Webster. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Bob Woodward looks at the reconstruction he built of the Orpheus Pavement at Prinknash Abbey on March 31, 2010 in Gloucester, England. The replica mosiac, made of more than one-and-a-half million pieces of stone is described as one of the most significant archaeological projects of recent times. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

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.

A Dalek, a Cyberman and a Silence invade the Melbourne Cricket Ground on February 2, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. The Doctor Who Daleks this weekend are performing for the first time outside of the UK with the Melbourne Syphony Orchestra at Plenary Hall. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images for BBC Worldwide)