Insecta

Justin Schmidt is known as the “King of Sting” for good reason. He has been stung thousands of times by every imaginable stinging insect and from these horrific experiences he has developed the world famous “Schmidt Pain Index.” It has become a hallmark for science community, Coyote Peterson (Brave Wilderness), and was even featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Recent advances in DNA sequencing have unlocked a treasure trove of secrets that have been hiding in plain sight, insect collections! With the new methods for using fragmented DNA, insects collected decades ago are now time capsules for a whole new field of research.

In the world of tiny insects, taking photos becomes impossible as the depth of field blurs most of the insect. How do scientist explore the microscopic corners of the world and what technological tricks make it possible?

Systematics is the study of the diversification of living forms, both past and present, and the relationships among living things through time.