TED Talks Daily The fascinating physics of insect pee | Saad Bhamla
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Feb 28, 2023 
Saad Bhamla, a scientist focused on insect behavior, dives into the surprising world of insect urination. He reveals the impressive adaptations of bugs, like the glassy-winged sharpshooter's quick and efficient pee process. Bhamla highlights how these tiny creatures use unique mechanics for waste elimination, sparking curiosity about nature's intricacies. He encourages viewers to appreciate the mundane aspects of life, showing how studying insects can inspire a love for science, especially in children.
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Nature's Tiny Engineers
- Saad Bhamla, fascinated by nature's tiny engineers, studies insects.
- His research includes spiders using webs as slingshots and worms forming knots.
Observing Insect Pee
- Bhamla and his student, Elio Challita, observed a sharpshooter insect peeing.
- They were astonished by the insect's prolonged and rapid urination.
Insect Excretion
- Insects, like the glassy-winged sharpshooter, have a closed system for waste.
- What goes in must come out, leading to their unique peeing mechanisms.