Show Notes
Bees aren't the only pollinators. There’s a whole host of birds and insects, from flies and beetles to moths and even mosquitoes, which move between and feed on flowers while helping plants proliferate.
In this episode of the It Starts With… podcast, David Boldeman is joined by biologist and naturalist Peter Bernhardt to discuss the thousands of species of insects and other creatures which pollinate. They are, as he calls them, the “unsung heroes” of pollination.
This even includes mosquitoes. Not only do these blood-sucking insects feed on our vital fluids, but one species gets its energy from sugars in a specific orchid’s nectar.
Many plants have a special relationship with particular pollinators. David and Peter discuss how understanding those relationships is key to protecting biodiversity and native species. This could even be as simple as choosing which plants to plant in your garden. It all has an impact on the pollinators and their symbiotic relationship with flowering plants.
Peter is author of the book Unsung Heroes of Pollination, published by CSIRO Publishing. It is available in print or eBook. It Starts With... is a ConnectSci podcast. ConnectSci delivers trusted, fact-based content, including peer-reviewed journal articles, eBooks and science news articles. It is operated by CSIRO Publishing, a not-for-profit, editorially independent publisher based in Australia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from It Starts With...
Palaeontology has changed enormously in recent decades, but many museum and theme park dinosaurs still look like they came straight out of last century. Palaeontologist James Ronan joins David Boldeman to explain why that matters, how his Dinosaur Accuracy Audit grades exhibits on everything from posture to feathers, and why Jurassic Park's raptors are still shaping what we see today. For more information on James' work visit james-ronan.co.uk It Starts With... is a ConnectSci podcast. ConnectSci delivers trusted, fact-based content, including peer-reviewed journal articles, eBooks and science news articles. It is operated by CSIRO Publishing, a not-for-profit, editorially independent publisher based in Australia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Can AI tell when a cow is getting sick before a farmer? An Australian team is working on using farm data to create a digital version of each cow and look for signs of illness before they become obvious. The technology can help prevent issues to improve milk production and keep animals healthy. David Boldeman discusses the future of farming with Alex Barakat from Digibus AI, who is helping build the technology, and dairy industry consultant Peter Best from Agstrat. It Starts With... is a ConnectSci podcast. ConnectSci delivers trusted, fact-based content, including peer-reviewed journal articles, eBooks and science news articles. It is operated by CSIRO Publishing, a not-for-profit, editorially independent publisher based in Australia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The first of a new fleet of uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) has set off from Tasmania, Australia, on a nine-month mission to monitor the Southern Ocean.
We're told white keeps you cool and black soaks up the heat — but where does purple fit in? Imma Perfetto joins David Boldeman to unpack the surprising physics of colour and heat after a new purple fabric was found to keep you cooler than white cotton. The discovery was made by researchers at Adelaide University.
New research shows that making sexual health services pleasure-inclusive for young people returns $23 for every $1 spent.