Bug Note Episode 5: You Don't Mess With Success
About Episode 5
Over many millions of years, natural selection has led plants and animals to develop a vast array of unique adaptations. Some have worked better than others. So, what accounts for the hundreds of millions of years of success that bugs have enjoyed?
In this episode of Bug Note, host Daniel Potter takes an appreciative look at the evolutionary success of insects. He’s joined by Dr. Jason Cryan, NHMU’s Sarah B. George Executive Director and a trained entomologist. Listen to the podcast here or scroll down to watch the video version.
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Current research estimates that there are between 2 and 5 million distinct species of insects, making them far more diverse than other animals. Where did this diversity come from? And why have bugs been able to endure on Earth for so long? Cryan identifies a few key components of their success.
The Evolution of Flight: While not every insect has wings, many do, opening up new worlds to explore. Through flight, things like hunting, migrating, and even fleeing danger become easier.
The Evolution of the Exoskeleton: This hard, shell-like structure on the exterior of insect bodies protects them from drying out. It also serves as a sort of armor, an extra layer of defense against predators and parasites.
Short Lifecycles = Experimental Freedom: The short lifespans of insects have a big impact on how they evolve. Take a praying mantis, for example. An adult mantis lives for an average of one year, producing one new generation in that time. Humans live an average of 80 years, which means that in one human lifetime, you could see 80 generations of praying mantis. Not all insects reproduce quite that quickly, but some, like aphids, reproduce even more frequently — producing several generations each year.
This allows them to be more experimental. They can try new things and explore new niches. If something isn’t successful, they can change courses quickly, adapting further with each new generation.
Bug Note on YouTube
Check out the extended version of Episode 5 on YouTube. Be sure to like and subscribe to receive notice of upcoming episodes.
About Bug Note
Bug Note is hosted by Daniel Potter, a science writer who's also worked in the world of public radio for many years, and who loves fresh air and storytime. He's joined by Dr. Jason Cryan, NHMU’s Sarah B. George Executive Director and trained entomologist, and Christy Bills, NHMU's Invertebrate Collections Manager, as well as other bug-loving guests. Video production by Blank Space. The podcast is created in collaboration with the Natural History Museum of Utah, with the expertise and support of its scientific, philanthropic, marketing, and education teams. Special thanks to NHMU friend and insect enthusiast Ted Fridirici.
Episode 5 at a Glance
Authors
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By Olivia Barney
Olivia serves as NHMU’s Marketing Copywriter/Coordinator, where she collaborates across departments to craft engaging stories that help bring groundbreaking research projects to life. She might be the Oxford comma’s number one fan.
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By Jason Cryan, Ph.D.
Areas of Expertise • Museum administration and leadership • Evolutionary biology • Entomology • Plant-feeding insects of the Order Hemiptera • Planthoppers, spittlebugs, treehoppers Background Jason Cryan, Ph.D., serves as the fourth executive director of the Natural History Museum of Utah. With its rich, 50-year history as the most important natural history museum in America’s...
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By Dan Potter
Daniel Potter is a science writer and audio producer based in Nashville, Tennessee. He's reported for Nashville Public Radio and KQED in San Francisco, and has appeared on Science Friday and PBS NewsHour. He's also written for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Some of his writing appears in the 2023 book Bay Curious: Exploring the Hidden True Stories of the San Francisco Bay Area.
