Bumblebee brain

We stand at a threshold in understanding brain function and the neural underpinnings of intelligence, and work on the compact nervous systems of insects has been at the forefront of this dynamic field. For the first time, we have the tools to decipher the complete wiring diagrams of insect brains – exquisite biological microcomputers that allow, in some species, high-precision navigation over miles, face recognition, counting, visual concept learning, complex social systems, even forms of tool use. We aim to discover comprehensively how neural circuits in insect brains mediate their range of complex behaviour and cognition and allow the emergence of new routines to support resilience in changing environments. To start, we propose generating a high-resolution, comprehensive bumblebee brain wiring diagram or “projectome” using X-ray holographic nanotomography (XNH) at ID16A. This will be a foundation for further studies to pinpoint the key mechanisms of intelligence.