Superorganism – The Forces of Life in Social Insects

Superorganism – The Forces of Life in Social Insects

A superorganism is a closely connected colony of individuals characterized by altruistic cooperation, complex communication, and a unique division of labour. It represents one of the fundamental forms of biological organization and one of the most complex phenomena in nature. By studying superorganisms, we gain valuable insights into the evolution of life from simple to complex forms and develop a deeper understanding of concepts such as altruism, personality, intelligence, efficiency, immunity, beauty, and art.

The exhibition Superorganism – The Forces of Life in Social Insects showcases a large number of specimens from the entomological collections of the Croatian Natural History Museum, including species of bees, wasps, ants, and termites. More than 1,000 specimens from these groups are on display.

Exhibition topics:

• Small brains – advanced understanding of the surrounding environment
• Evolutionary drivers of social immunity and their impact on pathogens
• Personality in social insects – lessons from holometabolism and caste life
• The evolution of sociality and “social” chromosomes
• Care for deceased individuals within social communities
• Genetic structure and epigenetic processes underlying social organization
• The formation of functional structures through collective cooperation
• Humans as superorganisms

The exhibition was created by Dr. Martina Podnar Lešić and Dr. Iva Mihoci.

The project was developed in collaboration with the Faculty of Forestry, University of Zagreb, and renowned European bioacoustician Boštjan Perovšek. The exhibition’s visual identity was designed by Lada Vlainić.

Financial support was provided by the City of Zagreb, founder of the Museum, and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia.

The exhibition opened on December 30, 2019, at the Croatian Natural History Museum, Demetrova 1, Zagreb, and remained open until December 30, 2020.

Highlights

• Ant March – sounds of ants and the vibrations produced by these tiny yet abundant organisms
• Epigenetic Landscape Game – roll the ball and discover whether you are a queen, worker, or soldier
• Hologram – a 3D representation of a soldier termite

Marketing and PR contacts: Martin Glavinić and Branimir Ivić.