A recent study published in eLife provides the most detailed understanding yet of how a larval brain evolves into an adult brain during metamorphosis in insects. The research focuses on the mushroom body, a region of the brain that is crucial for learning and memory in both larvae and adults. During metamorphosis, the researchers found that some neurons in the mushroom body die, while others are remodeled for new adult functions. Additionally, new neurons are born as the larvae grow, which mature and become part of adult-specific compartments. The study suggests that memories may not survive this transformation process.
https://www.quantamagazine.org/insect-brains-melt-and-rewire-during-metamorphosis-20230726/