Mighty Mouthparts

Dr Erica McAlister of London's Natural History Museum takes a look at some of the entomological pioneers, whose groundbreaking observations and experiments have led to some truly innovative developments.

She unravels the mystery of the hawkmoth’s tongue, whose length has offered the simplest and most effective proof of Charles Darwin's theory of Natural Selection in action - and is now inspiring bioengineers in the development of medical nanoprobes.

With contributions from Professor Jim Endersby, historian of science at the University of Sussex; Ian Kitching, entomologist at the Natural History Museum; Professor Peter Adler, Clemson University

Producer: Adrian Washbourne

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2021.