Monthly focus

The hidden world of insects

04 October 2017

Researchers are investigating how the adaptability of insects could be put to wider use. Image credit - Shutterstock/ kojihiranio

Did you know there are 200 million insects for each human on the planet? This October, Horizon delves into the mysteries of this diverse set of creatures and their seemingly infinite survival skills. We talk to researchers about why it's vital to maintain the diverse range of insect species, find out how robots and ants can work together to solve problems and explore how the superpowers of bugs could be put to use for humans.

Taste-based feeding traps can keep away pests like the poplar leaf beetle. Image credit – Dr Pentzold / ChemoSense project

agriculture | environment | open innovation

30 October 2017

Plaguing insects with bittersweet tastes to protect crops

Herbivorous insects are estimated to be responsible for destroying one-fifth of the world's total crop production annually, but a new, natural approach to pesticides that turns insects' taste and smell preferences against them could help reduce this toll.

environment

23 October 2017

Insects can school humans in coping with adversity

Insects have to cope with a wide range of environmental factors in order to thrive – disease, drought and habitat changes. Scientists hope that studying insect biology and behaviour could help humans cope with problems from climate change to disease control, shift work and even jet lag.

Prof. Alexey Solodovnikov thinks it is important to maintain the biodiverse planet of insects before it's too late. Image credit - Prof. Alexey Solodovnikov

interview | environment

09 October 2017

'Planet of insects' must be protected – Prof. Alexey Solodovnikov

To many people, they are merely creepy-crawlies to be swatted away or avoided, but the planet we live on is dominated and run by insects, argues Professor Alexey Solodovnikov, curator of the beetle collection at the Natural History Museum of Denmark. He believes more must be done to understand and protect this hugely diverse group of animals.

Robots help ants with daily chores so they can be accepted into the colony. Image credit - Dr Bertrand Collignon

ict

04 October 2017

Robotic bugs train insects to be helpers

Tiny mobile robots are learning to work with insects in the hope the creatures’ sensitive antennae and ability to squeeze into small spaces can be put to use serving humans.

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The hidden world of insects

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Plaguing insects with bittersweet tastes to protect crops

Insects can school humans in coping with adversity