The monarch's nervous systemThe nervous system of the butterfly consists of a brain, ventral nerve cord, ganglia, peripheral nervous system (PNS) and visceral nerves. Butterflies, like all other insects, have a brain as well as a heart. The center of the butterfly's nervous system is the sub-esophageal ganglion. This is interesting because the center of the nervous system is actually located in the butterfly's thorax, as opposed to the head, where most people think it is. The butterfly has a long, chambered heart that runs lengthwise on the upper half. It pumps hemolyph (which is a bit like blood) from the back of the organism to the front, bathing its internal organs in the process.
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