Dr Tim Cockerill is an entomologist, broadcaster and award-winning photographer who specialises in documenting and communicating the spectacular diversity of life on earth. Over the years he has been lucky enough to explore some of the most biodiverse places on the planet, from the rainforests of Papua New Guinea to the spiny forests of Madagascar, leading scientific expeditions for the Natural History Museum and the Zoology departments at Oxford and Cambridge. On the way Tim has come face-to-face with king cobras and black mambas, been stampeded by elephants, and has discovered species completely new to science.

In 2020 he collaborated with Dr Elze Hesse, a Research Fellow at the University of Exeter's Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI), on a Creative Exchange exploring research into swarming behaviour in bacterial colonies from post-industrial sites in Cornwall. Through a series of stunning macro-photographic images, the pair told a wonderfully visual story of how a single species of bacterium can take a multitude of forms when grown alone or together with other species. The resulting work was shown on the University of Exeter Arts and Culture website in an online exhibition called 'Should I Stay or Should I Go?'.

Since his participation in the Creative Exchange his bacteria images have been used by a number of organisations, including Atria University in India.

For 'Catalyst' Tim is exhibiting two new photographs both showing the flower crab spider Misumena vatia. Although these spiders are fairly common, especially in gardens and parks in the UK, few people have actually ever seen one. As ambush predators these spiders must wait out in the open for the files and bees that they eat, but must avoid being noticed by their own predators. They use cryptic colouration to hide in amongst the flowers where they live and hunt, and can change colour to match their background. Over several days a spider can gradually transition from brilliant white or lime green to a vibrant lemon-yellow.

The story of these crab spiders contains an intriguing mystery. When viewed under ultraviolet light they fluoresce brightly, becoming ghostly, glowing figures nestled amongst the backdrop of a pale flower. Though it is not known why these spiders should fluoresce so brightly, it is thought that they may be attempting to lure their prey. A flying insect might be attracted to this shining beacon in the midst of a busy meadow, mistaking it for a nectar-rich flower.

You can see Tim's work as part of a new stunning online exhibition called 'Catalyst'. Showcasing nearly a decade of arts/science collaborations at the ESI, it features new work by twelve artists, all of whome have previously worked with researchers as part of the ESI Creative Exchange.

Enter the virtual gallery by clicking on the image below.