Thread by @thatbugchick

1/25
Today let’s talk about a FANTASTIC scientist, Dr. Bernd Heinrich! I’ve had the pleasure of researching him while stuck at home &must admit I’ve become a big fan. He’s a Professor Emeritus @Univ of VT w/a LONG list of awards and recognition for his work in biology. #IB427BH

2/25
Dr. Heinrich’s areas of expertise include adaptations of animals in winter- (bears, turtles, AND insects oh my!) study of honeybee metabolism & raven cognition. On top of all that he has published 25 books, as recently as this Feb& he is a marathon runner! #IB427BH

3/25
He's won many awards for writing &often his books are about life right outside a cabin! For a great summary: tinyurl.com/w9k6pt5. It is a “Complete Guide to Bernd Heinrich’s Books” & it includes the story behind each book, written by Dr. Heinrich himself! #IB427BH

4/25
A documentary was produced about him in 2010 titled: AN UNCOMMON CURIOSITY: AT HOME & IN NATURE WITH BERND HEINRICH. Just from watching the trailer() one can tell how passionate he is about nature. #IB427BH

5/25
He was born in Germany (same here! but 6hrs away from BH) in 1940& spent long days exploring the forest on his own often collecting beetles. He was born to Gerd Heinrich who was a top entomologist specializing in wasps but was marginalized in postwar Germany. #IB427BH

6/25
BH&family survived 6 ys w/o electricity&running water, b/c they were in hiding. They almost boarded a ship for refugees prior to hiding- they couldn’t all fit. Now we know that ship was sunk by a Russian submarine!😮tinyurl.com/r836963<- overview of early life #IB427BH

7/25
His family came to the US in 1951 where they lived in western Maine. His love of nature which started young, continued through a PhD from UCLA and teaching/research in entomology at UC Berkeley and UVM- &into the present! #IB427BH

8/25
His research @1st was comparative phys of insects. He published on thermoregulation in bees, describing how they need to thermoregulate to fly, forage, &to incubate young. Previously, it was believed that “as cold-blooded animals” bees could not regulate body temp. #IB427BH

9/25
⬆️in body temp above ambient result from flying- AKA: heat produced from flying muscles. Heat isn’t only a product- it is also a requirement for take-off. Image from “Thermoreg in Endotherm Insects” note: large warm-up time required for a queen bee to take flight. #IB427BH

10/25
The muscle temp required for flight/activity& generated by it varies. Ex: small flies show rapid heat loss& little build up of body heat when flying. In this fig. we can see the wide variation in temp across moths of different sizes. #IB427BH

11/25
Dr. Heinrich’s studies show that this rapid heat⬆️ used for flight also permits rapid cooling. Which is useful in times where resources are not as plentiful (winter), they can cool down and preserve energy from being wasted during scarce months. #IB427BH

12/25
Insects come out of this slowed state in MINUTES, large mammals need HOURS to go through a heating a cooling cycle! Explanation of torpor in bees:

13/25
Mammals require a lot of resources to prepare for torpor, but so do insects!! Ex: 2 g moth w/ respiratory rate of 50ml of oxygen per gram of body weight per hour, must take in 2 mg of sugar every hour JUST TO BREAK EVEN!

14/25
BH moved from there to study Pollinator energetics, studying& comparing insect pollinators, as well as birds& bats. He wrote a great review article of the topic: tinyurl.com/rqu6oxd

15/25
BH’s work elucidated new physiological mechs of temp regulation of tropical vs temperate moths, bumblebees vs honeybees, beetles, dragonflies, flies, and butterflies, all done while at UCLA and Berkeley.
Photo of moth taken by BH:

16/25
His studies led to behavioral and ecological studies from the perspective of all animals. For example, comparisons of sharing food between social bumblebees and ravens (which are territorial).
Artist cred: Kent Ambler

17/25
Here you can see and hear Dr. Heinrich share his thoughts on the Raven Consciousness: #IB427BH

18/25
In an interview BH was asked if he was ever eluded by the answer to a scientific ? Turns out during his PhD he had troubles extracting and separating DNA in the lab. With his frustrations in this he said he decided to something he really liked “with birds or bees.” #IB427BH

19/25
I can feel the pain of frustration in working with DNA as a scientist who is both in the field and at the workbench. I found a quote from BH that will hopefully help get you through your own personal frustrations and hurdles! #IB427BH

20/25
I have really begun to think of Dr. Bernd Heinrich as an inspiration. His dedication to science and nature has persisted his whole life. It seems that he has an incredible amount of motivation seeing as he also keeps up his physical health by running. #IB427BH

21/25
Dr. Heinrich has set records with his running in his career- he set national records in America in the “any age” category in the standard ultramarathon distances of 100 km, 200 km, 100 mi, and longest distance run in 24 hrs.

22/25
I have massive amounts of respect for anyone that is a dedicated runner. I can’t imagine having the energy and motivation to run marathons, and I’m 26! Dr. Heinrich will be 80 y/o this year and is still an avid runner. #IB427BH

23/25
I have massive amounts of respect for this man who has dedicated his life to studying nature and science. From a rough start in life, he found a love&interest for insects that pushed him to the front in his field. #IB427BH

24/25
This is important to note, I think: your passions can really help drive you EVEN in times of distress. What's your passion? It may not be bugs&birds but who knows what kind of advances you can make in your own field! My own passions set me on track for a PhD! #IB427BH

25/25
Dr. Bernd Heinrich has made countless contributions to many areas in entomology and along the way has shown us how to live a rewarding life by making discoveries about the natural world around us. What an incredible man, thank you Dr. Heinrich! #IB427BH