Metamorphosis - How Insects Transformed Our World

Bees may have tiny brains, but they are surprisingly clever. They can learn from their environment to gain a reward, and then teach other bees to do the same. Dr Erica McAlister examines the pioneering work of African American biologist and civil rights activist Charles Henry Turner, who during the early 20th century conducted painstaking research into honeybee foraging, orientation and intelligence. His long overlooked work has led modern day researchers to question whether bigger brains are always better.

With contributions from Dr Jessica Ware, entomologist, (American Museum of Natural History), Prof Martin Giurfa neurobiologist, (Centre de Biologie Int退grative de Toulouse), Prof,.Lars Chittka zoologist (Queen Mary, University of London), engineer Farrell Helbling, (Cornell University)

Producer Adrian Washbourne

Erica McAlister uncovers a treasure trove of remarkable insights from the insect world.

Dr Erica McAlister of London's Natural History Museum takes a look at some of the entomological pioneers, whose groundbreaking observations and experiments have led to some truly innovative developments.

Bees may have tiny brains, but they are surprisingly clever. They can learn from their environment to gain a reward, and then teach other bees to do the same. Dr Erica McAlister examines the pioneering work of African American biologist and civil rights activist Charles Henry Turner, who during the early 20th century conducted painstaking research into honeybee foraging, orientation and intelligence. His long overlooked work has led modern day researchers to question whether bigger brains are always better.

With contributions from Dr Jessica Ware, entomologist, (American Museum of Natural History), Prof Martin Giurfa neurobiologist, (Centre de Biologie Int退grative de Toulouse), Prof,.Lars Chittka zoologist (Queen Mary, University of London), engineer Farrell Helbling, (Cornell University)

Producer Adrian Washbourne

Erica McAlister uncovers a treasure trove of remarkable insights from the insect world.

Dr Erica McAlister of London's Natural History Museum takes a look at some of the entomological pioneers, whose groundbreaking observations and experiments have led to some truly innovative developments.

Bees may have tiny brains, but they are surprisingly clever. They can learn from their environment to gain a reward, and then teach other bees to do the same. Dr Erica McAlister examines the pioneering work of African American biologist and civil rights activist Charles Henry Turner, who during the early 20th century conducted painstaking research into honeybee foraging, orientation and intelligence. His long overlooked work has led modern day researchers to question whether bigger brains are always better.

With contributions from Dr Jessica Ware, entomologist, (American Museum of Natural History), Prof Martin Giurfa neurobiologist, (Centre de Biologie Int退grative de Toulouse), Prof,.Lars Chittka zoologist (Queen Mary, University of London), engineer Farrell Helbling, (Cornell University)

Producer Adrian Washbourne

Erica McAlister uncovers a treasure trove of remarkable insights from the insect world.

Erica examines the huge butterfly collection of the intrepid Victorian lepidopterist Margaret Fountaine who was seduced by the iridescent nature of the morpho butterfly wing. Its dazzling electric blues are caused not by pigments, but by interference effects within the wing structure. In the early 20th century the `father of camouflage` Abbot Thayer controversially cited iridescence as a means of disguise within the animal world as well as attracting a mate. Scientists are revisiting the idea that the best disguises are dazzling and now engineers are attempting to recreate iridescence from the insect world to generate high impact hues with multiple effects for a host of different commercial products.

With contributions from: Dr David Waterhouse, (Senior Curator of Natural History & Geology at Norfolk Museums); biologist Dr Karin Kjernsmo,(Bristol University); Andrea Hart (Library Special Collections Manager Natural History Museum); physiologist Prof Andrew Parker, (University of Oxford)

Producer Adrian Washbourne

Erica McAlister uncovers a treasure trove of remarkable insights from the insect world.

Dr Erica McAlister of London's Natural History Museum takes a look at some of the entomological pioneers, whose groundbreaking observations and experiments have led to some truly innovative developments.

Erica examines the huge butterfly collection of the intrepid Victorian lepidopterist Margaret Fountaine who was seduced by the iridescent nature of the morpho butterfly wing. Its dazzling electric blues are caused not by pigments, but by interference effects within the wing structure. In the early 20th century the `father of camouflage` Abbot Thayer controversially cited iridescence as a means of disguise within the animal world as well as attracting a mate. Scientists are revisiting the idea that the best disguises are dazzling and now engineers are attempting to recreate iridescence from the insect world to generate high impact hues with multiple effects for a host of different commercial products.

With contributions from: Dr David Waterhouse, (Senior Curator of Natural History & Geology at Norfolk Museums); biologist Dr Karin Kjernsmo,(Bristol University); Andrea Hart (Library Special Collections Manager Natural History Museum); physiologist Prof Andrew Parker, (University of Oxford)

Producer Adrian Washbourne

Erica McAlister uncovers a treasure trove of remarkable insights from the insect world.

Dr Erica McAlister of London's Natural History Museum takes a look at some of the entomological pioneers, whose groundbreaking observations and experiments have led to some truly innovative developments.

Erica examines the huge butterfly collection of the intrepid Victorian lepidopterist Margaret Fountaine who was seduced by the iridescent nature of the morpho butterfly wing. Its dazzling electric blues are caused not by pigments, but by interference effects within the wing structure. In the early 20th century the `father of camouflage` Abbot Thayer controversially cited iridescence as a means of disguise within the animal world as well as attracting a mate. Scientists are revisiting the idea that the best disguises are dazzling and now engineers are attempting to recreate iridescence from the insect world to generate high impact hues with multiple effects for a host of different commercial products.

With contributions from: Dr David Waterhouse, (Senior Curator of Natural History & Geology at Norfolk Museums); biologist Dr Karin Kjernsmo,(Bristol University); Andrea Hart (Library Special Collections Manager Natural History Museum); physiologist Prof Andrew Parker, (University of Oxford)

Producer Adrian Washbourne

Erica McAlister uncovers a treasure trove of remarkable insights from the insect world.

Namib Desert beetles have evolved in a very special environment, where the only source of water exists in the air. For decades researchers tried to figure out what gave the beetles a unique superpower of drinking without water. Dr Erica McAlister hears how desert ecologist Mary Seely unravelled the mystery by discovering an ingenious series of structures on their wing scales to trap night-time fogs as they emerged to bask on the tops of sand dunes during these nocturnal pea soupers. It's now inspiring engineers to develop industrial sized fog harvesting systems for collecting water in some of the most arid areas of the planet

With contributions from Max Barclay (Curator of beetles Natural History Museum, London) , physiologist Duncan Mitchell, (University of the Witwatersrand), ecologist Mary Seeley, physiologist Prof Andrew Parker (Oxford University)

Producer Adrian Washbourne

Erica McAlister uncovers a treasure trove of remarkable insights from the insect world.

Dr Erica McAlister of London's Natural History Museum takes a look at some of the entomological pioneers, whose groundbreaking observations and experiments have led to some truly innovative developments.

Namib Desert beetles have evolved in a very special environment, where the only source of water exists in the air. For decades researchers tried to figure out what gave the beetles a unique superpower of drinking without water. Dr Erica McAlister hears how desert ecologist Mary Seely unravelled the mystery by discovering an ingenious series of structures on their wing scales to trap night-time fogs as they emerged to bask on the tops of sand dunes during these nocturnal pea soupers. It's now inspiring engineers to develop industrial sized fog harvesting systems for collecting water in some of the most arid areas of the planet

With contributions from Max Barclay (Curator of beetles Natural History Museum, London) , physiologist Duncan Mitchell, (University of the Witwatersrand), ecologist Mary Seeley, physiologist Prof Andrew Parker (Oxford University)

Producer Adrian Washbourne

Erica McAlister uncovers a treasure trove of remarkable insights from the insect world.

Dr Erica McAlister of London's Natural History Museum takes a look at some of the entomological pioneers, whose groundbreaking observations and experiments have led to some truly innovative developments.

Namib Desert beetles have evolved in a very special environment, where the only source of water exists in the air. For decades researchers tried to figure out what gave the beetles a unique superpower of drinking without water. Dr Erica McAlister hears how desert ecologist Mary Seely unravelled the mystery by discovering an ingenious series of structures on their wing scales to trap night-time fogs as they emerged to bask on the tops of sand dunes during these nocturnal pea soupers. It's now inspiring engineers to develop industrial sized fog harvesting systems for collecting water in some of the most arid areas of the planet

With contributions from Max Barclay (Curator of beetles Natural History Museum, London) , physiologist Duncan Mitchell, (University of the Witwatersrand), ecologist Mary Seeley, physiologist Prof Andrew Parker (Oxford University)

Producer Adrian Washbourne

Erica McAlister uncovers a treasure trove of remarkable insights from the insect world.

She unravels the mystery behind the nervous system of the cockroach. It appears to be anatomically hard-wired, yet has an extraordinary flexibility that enables it to adopt new behaviour in matter of minutes or hours, It would lead to proof of the controversial idea that nerves and hormones form an intimate and influential relationship with each other, and the birth of the field of neuroendocrinology

With contributions from Historian and zoologist Prof, Matthew Cobb (University of Manchester), Prof. Stephen Simpson (Director Charles Perkin Centre Sydney), neurobiologist George Stefano.

Producer Adrian Washbourne

Erica McAlister uncovers a treasure trove of remarkable insights from the insect world.

Erica examines the innocuous wasp-like Black Soldier fly which for centuries was regarded as a serious agricultural pest in North America's southern states. Its reputation underwent a compete rewrite thanks to the close observations of artist and entomologist Charles Valentine Riley. Its larvae have a remarkable ability to shred, devour and transform nearly any kind of organic waste into high-quality edible protein. They are now the ‘crown jewels' of a fast-growing insect-farming industry - addressing a growing need to find cheap, clean reliable protein.

With contributions from Donald Weber biographer of CV Riley , entomologist Prof Jeff Tomberlin (Texas A+M University), Keiran Whittaker (CEO Entocycle), Katharina Unger (CEO Livin Farms)

Producer Adrian Washbourne

Erica McAlister uncovers a treasure trove of remarkable insights from the insect world.

She first sets out to examine the jump of the humble flea. Most flea legs average just 3mm and so, without much length, they really don't have much time to generate energy to push off the ground. So how do these tiny insects achieve jumps of over 20cm? Dame Miriam Rothschild had a life-long fascination with these acrobatic insects. Through intricate dissections of the flea anatomy and innovative high speed filming, she claimed a flea's jump was not just down to their muscles. Her insights, along with fellow entomologists, have led to discoveries of the most elastic substance in the natural world and a means of acceleration that is fuelling the development of innovative jumping micro robots.

Producer Adrian Washbourne

Erica McAlister uncovers a treasure trove of remarkable insights from the insect world.

Dr Erica McAlister of London's Natural History Museum takes a look at some of the entomological pioneers, whose groundbreaking observations and experiments have led to some truly innovative developments.

She first sets out to examine the jump of the humble flea. Most flea legs average just 3mm and so, without much length, they really don't have much time to generate energy to push off the ground. So how do these tiny insects achieve jumps of over 20cm? Dame Miriam Rothschild had a life-long fascination with these acrobatic insects. Through intricate dissections of the flea anatomy and innovative high speed filming, she claimed a flea's jump was not just down to their muscles. Her insights, along with fellow entomologists, have led to discoveries of the most elastic substance in the natural world and a means of acceleration that is fuelling the development of innovative jumping micro robots.

Producer Adrian Washbourne

Erica McAlister uncovers a treasure trove of remarkable insights from the insect world.

She unravels the mystery of the hawkmoth's tongue , whose length has offered the simplest and most effective proof of Charles Darwin's theory of Natural Selection in action - and is now inspiring bioengineers in the development of medical nanoprobes

With contributions from Prof. Jim Endersby, historian of science at the University of Sussex; Ian Kitching, entomologist at the Natural History Museum; Prof. Peter Adler, Clemson University

Producer: Adrian Washbourne

Erica McAlister uncovers a treasure trove of remarkable insights from the insect world.

Dr Erica McAlister of London's Natural History Museum takes a look at some of the entomological pioneers, whose groundbreaking observations and experiments have led to some truly innovative developments.

She unravels the mystery of the hawkmoth's tongue , whose length has offered the simplest and most effective proof of Charles Darwin's theory of Natural Selection in action - and is now inspiring bioengineers in the development of medical nanoprobes

With contributions from Prof. Jim Endersby, historian of science at the University of Sussex; Ian Kitching, entomologist at the Natural History Museum; Prof. Peter Adler, Clemson University

Producer: Adrian Washbourne

Erica McAlister uncovers a treasure trove of remarkable insights from the insect world.

With contributions from : behavioural geneticist Prof. Matthew Cobb, University of Manchester; Dr. Stephanie Mohr, Harvard university and author of First in Fly; Sharmila Bhattacharya, NASA's chief scientist for Space Biology.

Producer: Adrian Washbourne

Erica McAlister uncovers a treasure trove of remarkable insights from the insect world.

With contributions from historian and zoologist Prof Matthew Cobb, University of Manchester; Grace Touzel, curator Natural History Museum; conservation biologist, Dr Christopher Hassall, University of Leeds.

Producer: Adrian Washbourne

Erica McAlister uncovers a treasure trove of remarkable insights from the insect world.

From hoverflies to butterflies, many insects undergo the biggest transformation of any animal on the planet during their life cycle. Dr Erica McAlister unmasks the ongoing mystery of metamorphosis and hears how now it's being used as a barometer to track future climate change.

With contributions from historian and zoologist Prof Matthew Cobb, University of Manchester; Grace Touzel, curator Natural History Museum; conservation biologist, Dr Christopher Hassall, University of Leeds.

Producer: Adrian Washbourne

Erica McAlister uncovers a treasure trove of remarkable insights from the insect world.

With contributions from forensic entomologists Martin Hall (Natural History Museum) and Gail Anderson (Simon Fraser University,British Columbia); Daniel Martin Vega, (University of Alcala, Madrid).

Producer Adrian Washbourne

Erica McAlister uncovers how flies can thwart a crime through forensic entomology.

Erica McAlister uncovers a treasure trove of remarkable insights from the insect world.

Blowflies with their ability to smell rotting meat from long distances may be some of the most reviled insects on the planet, but as Erica McAlister discovers, they've become central to the surprisingly long tradition of forensic entomology.

With contributions from forensic entomologists Martin Hall (Natural History Museum) and Gail Anderson (Simon Fraser University,British Columbia); Daniel Martin Vega, (University of Alcala, Madrid).

Producer Adrian Washbourne

Erica McAlister uncovers how flies can thwart a crime through forensic entomology.

Erica McAlister uncovers a treasure trove of remarkable insights from the insect world.