The Evolution of Insect Flight

The evolution of powered flight is one of the rarest adaptations made in nature only being possessed by four groups of animals, the birds, bats, pterosaurs and earliest of all the insects. Because the insects evolved so early and because they are the only animals to evolve powered flight that aren't vertebrates the path they took to get airborne is very different. This video seeks to explain what is known about the evolution of the insect wing and how they made the transition.

If I have used artwork that belongs to you but have neglected to credit it this will just be because I was unable to find one. If this has happened please contact me and I will add a credit. Some Art work has been altered for the purposes of bettering them for video format; these alterations were done independent from the artists who created the original work, so they are not responsible for any inaccuracies that could have occurred with the changes being made.

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[malthesse]

I had no idea that insects are much more closely related to lobsters, crabs and shrimps than to spiders and scorpions. That is very fascinating. Certainly makes me look at them in a new way.

[marcellus_h]

One of my favorite episodes so far. Arthropods, especially Insects deserve more attention regarding their evolution as well. Most paleo stuff on YT only focuses on (large) vertebrates only.

[migarsormrapophis]

6:06
"The insects closest relatives are not the arthropods"
Insects _are_ arthropods, I'm pretty sure you meant to say "The insects closest relatives are not the _arachnids."_ or something like that.

[paytonkremers]

You should make a video on how organisms evolved to undergo a metamorphosis from a juvenile form to an adult form.

[ZentaBon]

Dragon flies are friggin perfect. Imagine being able to fly easily in any direction. Up down left right.
and having such good vision you can precisely catch flies in midair easily

[RiiftApart]

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the excellent music choices Moth makes? From Dreamer to Ascension to the theme he uses in his recent videos, it feels like he takes us on a journey into the past every time.

[caesarvalentinianus]

Finally, someone has covered this overlooked topic, thank you! Keep up the incredible content!

[_Solaris]

Let's take a moment to appreciate that Mothlight is the best channel of its kind on YouTube.

[daniell]

The tree of life is endlessly fascinating. I've always been struck by the sheer diversity among insects, making it hard to figure out what are the more basal characteristics, giving the impression that we are seeing creatures from completely unrelated groups.

[omarb]

Excellent video. I like that you covered an issue that is still unsettled, and presented multiple opposing theories. All too often, content creators have made up their mind on what explanation should be correct.

[benmcreynolds]

No matter how much I learn about biology and science, it never ceases to amaze me that Nature has this unbelievable ability to adapt to it's surroundings.. Like, That's utterly amazing.

[LimeyLassen]

"An aquatic larval stage is ancestral to all flying insects" is an important clue. Aquatic insects fly because this allows them to escape drying streams and ponds and lay their eggs in new ones, colonizing new areas.

[bluestone]

This has to be the best channel for relaxed education out there. The voice, music, visuals, and topics all blend so beautifully that it's almost unreal.

[korean]

Honey wake up, a new Moth Light Media video just dropped

[desertfox]

i just finished making food when this dropped. i could not be happier

[kai_maceration]

I love insects, I think about them every day. it's hard for me to recall ones not mentioned in this video that can't fly! even earwigs have wings, they're SO cool. I never deeply considered how much insects rely on flight, oddly enough seems obvious to me now

[kuna]

:) How fascinating! I always thought that insects invented flight multiple times, not all descended from the flying ancestor. Super cool video, thank you!

[Lyzerglick]

I believe this is the best channel on YouTube. I love your content, delivery, and research. Putting things in perspective with the oldest common ancestors and the charts you use gives me so many “ah-ha!” Moments. Awesome stuff.

[impendio]

I went into a rabbit hole trying to understand the evolution of complete metamorphosis and went through this subject in the process.
Please make a video on the evolution of metamorphosis in insects, I still have many doubts and I guess there’s stuff we’ll never know, like if the nymphs adapted first and independently of their adult forms, and their adult forms secondarily adapted like two different animals over time?

[Cobbido]

Not sure how much info there is on slime mold evolution since they wouldn't really fossilize but that would be a cool topic to go in depth on. Crazy protists.