The secret lives of bugs

It’s time again for our listener mail roundup, and this week, the theme is bugs, bugs, and more bugs. We discover what’s happening inside the chrysalis of a monarch butterfly, find out why fruit flies seem to spontaneously generate from over-ripe fruit, and ask if meat-eaters really are sweeter to mosquitoes. Plus, a cautionary tale about leaving the window screens open.

1. What happens inside a chrysalis during metamorphosis?
2. How does bioluminescence work?
3. Are mosquitoes good for anything?

Featuring Karen Oberhauser, Deidre Gibson, and Lyric Bartholomay.

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LINKS

Learn more about our mosquito expert, Lyric Bartholomay, in this video about her and her work.

This National Geographic article has a good overview of bioluminescence, plus some great photos.

Consumer Reports details how it tests bug spray and lists some high-performing products.

CREDITS

Host: Nate Hegyi

Reported, produced, and mixed by Taylor Quimby, Justine Paradis, and Felix Poon.

Executive producer: Rebecca Lavoie

Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.

Outside/In is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio

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