News Life

This drawing is the oldest known sketch of an insect brain

Found in a 17th century manuscript, the illustration shows the brain of a honeybee drone

A sepia-toned hand drawing of a bee's brain. It is labeled with various letters and numbers.

This drawing by Johannes Swammerdam shows the brain of a honeybee drone. It's the oldest known image of an insect brain.

A. Strazzoni/Royal Society Notes and Records 2025

By Tina Hesman Saey

After nearly 350 years, a depiction of a bee’s brain is getting some buzz.