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.

Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Hezly Rivera does a flip before throwing out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees, Wednesday, September 4, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jeffrey McWhorter/AP Photo)

Jessie Diggins celebrates during a venue ceremony after winning the bronze medal in the women's sprint free cross-country skiing competition at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, February 8, 2022, in Zhangjiakou, China. (Photo by Alessandra Tarantino/AP Photo)

USA's Jourdan Elizabeth Delacruz reacts as she competes in the women's 49kg weightlifting competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo on July 24, 2021. (Photo by Edgard Garrido/Reuters)

Ryann O'Toole after finishing her round on the 18th during day four of the Trust Golf Women's Scottish Open at Dumbarnie Links, St Andrews on Sunday, August 15, 2021. (Photo by Malcolm MacKenzie/PA Wire Press Association)

Millonarios' midfielder David Silva controls the ball during the Copa Sudamericana group stage second leg football match between Colombia's Millonarios and Uruguay's PeÒarol at the Nemesio Camacho “El CampÌn” stadium in Bogota, on May 23, 2023. (Photo by Juan Barreto/AFP Photo)

In this handout image provided by Red Bull, Maria Paula Quintero of Colombia dives from the 21.5 metre platform during the second competition day of the third stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series on June 29, 2024 at Polignano a Mare, Italy. (Photo by Dean Treml/Red Bull via Getty Images)

Britain's Alice Kinsella competes in the balance beam event of the artistic gymnastics women's qualification during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris, on July 28, 2024. (Photo by Gabriel Bouys/AFP Photo)