How Insects Shaped Human Culture Over Millennia

In “The Insect Epiphany,” an entomologist explores the history of insects in art, food, engineering, and more.

Listen to Universe of Art on Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneIn, or your favorite podcasting app.


A smiling man who looks thrilled to be wearing a shirt with a bug on it.
Dr. Barrett Klein. Credit: Jen Towner

Did you know that there are ten quintillion—or 10,000,000,000,000,000,000—individual insects on the planet? That means that for each and every one of us humans, there are 1.25 billion insects hopping, buzzing, and flying about.

A new book called The Insect Epiphany: How Our Six-Legged Allies Shape Human Culture celebrates the diversity of the insect world, as well as the many ways it has changed ours—from fashion to food to engineering.

Guest host Sophie Bushwick talks with entomologist and author Dr. Barrett Klein about the beauty of the insect world, how it has shaped human history, and what we can learn from these six-legged critters.


Further Reading


Universe of Art is hosted and produced by D Peterschmidt, who also wrote the music. The original segment was produced by Rasha Aridi. Our show art is illustrated by Abelle Hayford. And support for Science Friday’s science and arts coverage comes from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Do you have science-inspired art you’d like to share with us for a future episode? Send us an email or a voice memo to universe@sciencefriday.com.

Meet the Writers

About Rasha Aridi

Rasha Aridi is a producer for Science Friday. She loves stories about weird critters, science adventures, and the intersection of science and history.

About D Peterschmidt

D Peterschmidt is a producer, host of the podcast Universe of Art, and composes music for Science Friday’s podcasts. Their D&D character is a clumsy bard named Chip Chap Chopman.

Explore More

Intertwining The Lives Of Moths And Humans Through Music

A pair of musicians wrote a concept album inspired by moths—and found that humans have more in common with the insects than they expected.

Read More

How A Diver And Artist Brought A Mysterious Octopus To Light

In 1990, diver Arcadio Rodaniche’s findings about a highly social octopus were dismissed. Decades later, his work was validated.

Read More