Do butterflies have a brain?

Our butterfly guide, Robin, has often been asked “do butterflies have a brain?”

This is a very good illustration on the internal organs … and what do you know, they do have a brain!

do butterflies have a brain

Insect anatomy scheme

A– Head
B– Thorax
C– Abdomen

  1. antenna
  2. ocelli (lower)
  3. ocelli (upper)
  4. compound eye
  5. brain (cerebral ganglia)
  6. prothorax
  7. dorsal artery
  8. tracheal tubes (trunk with spiracle)
  9. mesothorax
  10. metathorax
  11. first wing
  12. second wing
  13. mid-gut (stomach)
  14. heart
  15. ovary
  16. hind-gut (intestine, rectum & anus)
  17. anus
  18. vagina
  19. nerve chord (abdominal ganglia)
  20. Malpighian tubes
  21. pillow
  22. claws
  23. tarsus
  24. tibia
  25. femur
  26. trochanter
  27. fore-gut (crop, gizzard)
  28. thoracic ganglion
  29. coxa
  30. salivary gland
  31. subesophageal ganglion
  32. mouthparts