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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