Entomology podcasts

Robyn Williams and Belinda Smith explore biological cooperation and symbiosis, how bees protect their colonies against disease, and the pressures that climate change places on African lions. The programme also examines evolutionary competition between reptiles and mammals and the scientific accuracy of dinosaur displays. This edition brings together five science reports connecting interactions among organisms, environmental change and the communication of biological research.

Hosted by Robyn Williams, Belinda Smith

High-speed recordings reveal how butterfly markings generate misleading motion cues during takeoff, potentially confusing pursuing birds. The episode considers visual camouflage and predator–prey interactions, followed by short research highlights on evolution and an Iron Age hoard of metal bars.

Nature staff discuss a large survey of insect diversity in the Amazon and unusual orca behavior captured on video involving a sunfish.

Diego Vázquez explores networks of plant-pollinator interactions and what determines which species interact. The conversation contrasts coevolutionary explanations with neutral models driven by abundance, examines the limits of prediction, and considers long-term bee monitoring and the challenges of maintaining ecological research in Argentina.

Hosted by Marty Martin, John Drake

Katherine Nagel discusses how fruit flies navigate using odour and how ring models can explain the short-term memory involved.

Julie Sørlie Paus-Knudsen discusses learning and intelligence in bees and bumblebees alongside their ecological roles. Conversation in Norwegian.

Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson discusses insect diversity, insect research and the ecological importance of these animals. Conversation in Norwegian.