Insects, such as the winged insects in the order Lepidoptera, continue to reveal incredible abilities with some facets that zoologists thought were reserved only for vertebrates.

Recently, entomologists were investigating “a species of tropical butterfly [Heliconius] with unusually expanded brain structures [that] displays a fascinating mosaic pattern of neural expansion linked to a cognitive innovation.”¹

Mushroom bodies, or corpora pedunculata, are paired structures in arthropod brains. The intrinsic cells of the mushroom bodies are called Kenyon cells and are designed to receive input signals from antennal lobe projection neurons and other neural structures. A recent article in Current Biology stated,

Mushroom bodies are composed of a conserved wiring logic, mainly consisting of Kenyon cells, dopaminergic neurons, and mushroom body output neurons. Despite this conserved makeup, there is huge diversity in mushroom body size and shape across insects. However, empirical data on how evolution modifies the function and architecture of this circuit are largely lacking.²

Notice the scientists state that evolution can modify “the function and architecture of this circuit.” But appealing to random evolutionary processes to somehow construct conserved wiring logic is simply wishful thinking. To state that evolution can modify brain architecture for new functional purposes has no scientific support.

In addition, one should keep in mind that the word “conserved”—as used in the quote above—means unchanged through the alleged millions of years of evolution. Rather than supporting evolution, such features fit the creation model that states the Lord Jesus created arthropods (i.e., insects) as fully functional arthropods thousands of years ago. There has been no real change (macroevolution) since that time.³ Insects have always been insects, complete with whatever conserved brain architecture they have always needed to be insects.

Dr. Stephen Montgomery, who is a coauthor of the cognitive innovation research of the Heliconius butterfly and the project supervisor, said,

“Rather than having a random route of foraging, these butterflies apparently choose fixed routes between floral resources—akin to a bus route. The planning and memory processes needed for this behavior are fulfilled by the assemblies of neurons inside the mushroom bodies, hence why we’re fascinated by the internal circuitry throughout.

“Our results suggest that specific aspects of these circuits have been tweaked to bring about the enhanced capacities of Heliconius [sic] butterflies.”¹

Who wouldn’t be fascinated by the butterfly’s fixed routes via its internal circuitry? The critical question is: What would produce such “planning and memory processes”? After all, the University of Bristol article said, “Neural circuits are quite similar to electrical circuits as each cell has specific targets that they connect with, and assembles a net with its connections. This net then elicits specific functions by constructing a circuitry.”¹ Would an explosion in an electronics factory produce specific electrical circuits at the microscopic scale? In other words, is mindless chance and deep time behind such specific internal circuitry, or do we see purpose and plan by the master Designer?

Farnsworth et al. in Current Biology stated, “Taken together, our results demonstrate mosaic evolution of functionally related neural systems and cell types and identify that evolutionary malleability in an architecturally conserved parallel circuit guides adaptation in cognitive ability.”² Heliconius butterfly research does not directly support or demonstrate the authors’ evolutionary conclusions. Rather, they actually demonstrate that different insects use similar architecture tailored by the Creator to fit each one’s needs. They have been designed with these incredible capacities from the beginning, so there has been but minor variation (“evolutionary malleability”), and they are “architecturally conserved [unchanged].”

A 2023 paper in Nature also mentioned the butterfly mushroom bodies in earlier research regarding long term memory. They wrote,

The genus Heliconius [butterfly], which exhibits a unique dietary innovation, pollen-feeding, and [advanced] foraging behaviors reliant on spatial memory, shows the most extreme enlargement [i.e., mushroom bodies]. This expansion is primarily associated with increased visual processing areas and coincides with increased precision of visual processing, and enhanced long term memory.⁴

Only they never saw the mushroom bodies actually expand. Such expansion derives not from data but from the assumption that evolution, not God, somehow expanded, organized, and integrated neurons in just the right ways to increase visual processing enough for Heliconius to eat its “unique diet.” Instead, God has designed Heliconius with an exceptional foraging behaviour that uses learned foraging routes and memorized spatial locations. Such an ability is attributed to the “larger” mushroom body (although this is subjective and it should be asked, Was it really enlarged? What was the original size?).

Research continues in this amazing field of the insect brain and nervous system. We give glory not to the gods of time, chance, and genetic mistakes but to the Master Designer’s hand.

References

1. Butterfly Brains Reveal the Tweaks Required for Cognitive Innovation. University of Bristol. Posted on phys.org October 18, 2024.
2. Farnsworth, M. et al. 2024. Mosaic Evolution of a Learning and Memory Circuit in Heliconiini Butterflies. Current Biology. 34 (22): 5252–5262.
3. Sherwin, F. 2011. Defending a ‘Fact.’ Acts & Facts. 40 (12): 18.
4. Couto, A. et al. 2023. Rapid Expansion and Visual Specialisation of Learning and Memory Centres in the Brains of Heliconiini Butterflies. Nature. 14, article 4024.

Stage image: Doris longwing (Heliconius doris doris)
Stage image credit: Copyright © CC BY 4.0, Sharp Photography. Used in accordance with federal copyright (fair use doctrine) law. Usage by ICR does not imply endorsement of copyright holder.

* Dr. Sherwin is a news writer at the Institute for Creation Research. He earned an M.A. in invertebrate zoology from the University of Northern Colorado and received an honorary doctorate of science from Pensacola Christian College.