Insects from hell
- Title: Insects from hell
- Duration: 13 х 30’
- Producer: USA
- Year:
National Geographic Channel Collection
Gain a new perspective on the scary world of the scuttling, venom-filled creatures that inhabit our nightmares. Jake Willers is the man who will take you closer to these creepy crawlies than you would normally dare go. This unparalleled view of the workings of this micro-world will give you an incredible insight into just what makes these animals so fascinating and vital to our existence.
Jake dispels some of the legends that surround these fascinating creatures, and replaces them with mind-blowing facts and information that will turn your fear into awe, as you realise the true nature of these tiny beasts.
Jake looks at the armoured beetles and bugs, with jaws and syringe-like mouthparts that eat their way through dung, dead wood and even each other, filling an essential recycling role in the world we live in.
He’ll show you just how misunderstood the spider is; the wonder of their webs and constructions, and how with spiders, size matters. And when you’re talking venom, it’s usually the small ones you should fear!
He’ll dispel some of the myths associated with scorpions and their marine cousins, by diving right into their worlds, revealing some unexpected facts hidden deep within. Jake shows us some real alien invasions and the devastating consequences they can have, as well as one of the most successful insect invaders of all. He bares his flesh to parasites and investigates the amazing healing powers of insect larvae. He’ll look at the way insects are being used in both modern day and traditional medicine, as well as taking an intimate look at one of the biggest killers in the world!
Jake Willers is an animated and infectious personality, with a fearless attitude to the creatures he handles. He’s your own personal guide as he individually draws you into this captivating series, filmed across Africa and Europe, delving deep into our fears and fascinations - both in the wild and in our homes.
Join us on an unbelievable tour of the arthropod world of bugs, beetles, spiders, scorpions and others, you'll soon realize that despite their looks and reputations, these are not at all just Insects From Hell.
Episodes
1. Eco Warriors
Eco Warriors are the armoured beetles and bugs, with jaws and syringe like mouthparts that eat their way through dung, dead wood and even each other. Our presenter Jake Willers takes you on an incredible close up tour of these amazing animals - from the super predators to the insects which inspire the Hollywood monster movies. He’ll reveal just how essential these Eco Warriors are to the world you live in. And how despite their looks, there’s a lot more to these animals than just being Insects From Hell.
2. Battlefield
Arthropods have had a long time to perfect their attack and defense tactics. Theirs is a world of chemical and biological weapons, poisons, and cutting, crushing and tearing appendages and man is getting in on the action. Arthropods employ every environment from the subterranean to airborne assault. They lay traps, set ambushes, hunt alone and in groups, build and undermine defenses, intercept communications, set scouts, form armies and impersonate their enemies. From the lone hunter-killer to the massed ranks of ant armies, simple ambush to siege warfare, sudden death to `black ops` …join Jake as he explores the ruthless and violent world of the arthropod and examines the lessons man has learned from the arthropod battlefield.
3. Bugs Rule!
From their dawn in the prehistoric oceans to first dominance on land, to the complex insect societies of today - arthropods are the most numerous species on Earth. Their adaptability and sheer numbers have enabled them to survive extinction events, movement of the continents, changing climates and the rise and fall of other dominant animals. Dinosaurs may have ruled the world but arthropods fed on their blood and devoured their carcasses. Meet brood X and witness the largest insect outbreak on earth.
4. Webs And Fangs
Spiders are objects of nightmares…but we’re going to meet them for real. Our presenter Jake Willers will take you for a closer look at some of the biggest, the most venomous and terrifying spiders in the World. But forget your arachnophobia because he’ll show you just how amazing these creatures really are. In the world of spiders it isn’t the size of the fangs that matter… it’s the power of the venom. This is the fascinating world of Webs and Fangs, and Jake will show you that there is a lot more to spiders, even though you might just consider them Insects from Hell!
5. Stings And Claws
Scorpions are feared assassins with a sting in their tail, but our presenter Jake Willers will take you closer than you might dare to show you just how great they really are. He'll also dive under the water to meet a few of the world's amazing crustaceans, the armoured giants and ghosts of the night. This is the fascinating world of Stings and Claws and Jake will prove that despite your fears, these animals are not just Insects From Hell.
6. CSI
A dead human body is a highly nutritious resource…mostly for invertebrates. A fact that, while disgusting to most of us, provides valuable information to crime fighters around the world. Forensic Entomology is at least 150 years old but it is only recently that it has become widely accepted in fighting crime. Today, it is a recognised profession and is even taught as part of the FBI training program. So what part do arthropods play? Jake sets out to investigate some of the cases where forensic entomology has played a vital role and examines how our knowledge of insects can track down murderers.
7. A Bug A Day
This episode examines the commercial importance of insects and other arthropods. Starting with the obvious - food - Jake goes on to look at other commercial products vital to the world's lifestyles and economies. Human consumption of arthropods is not restricted to lobsters, crabs and shrimp. Insects are eaten either as a regular part of their diet, or as a delicacy in many human cultures, but perhaps nowhere as commonly as in Thailand. Here, the markets offer a wealth of insects including giant water bugs, locusts, sago beetle grubs and the larvae and pupae of wasps. Some are fried at street-side stalls, others are delicacies that are critically examined prior to purchase. In southern Africa, dried mopane worms are highly sought after and results in an annual short-lived industry during the "outbreak season." Insect food is turning from a delicacy into a multi national industry. But will Jake's absolute love of everything crawly extend to his dinner. Honey and silk production are major industries worldwide. Other insect products include dyes used in everyday things like lipsticks, and shellac - a natural thermoplastic used in thousands of items from varnishes to cake glazes.
8. Invaders
Invaders! The animals that left their homes and colonised new territories. This really is the invasion of the aliens and arthropods are some of the most opportunistic invasive species ever. With our presenter Jake Willers you’ll meet the giant scorpions which invaded land before the dinosaurs, discover how alien insects are fighting a battle of biological warfare and meet the most successful insect invader of all. These are the Invaders of the animal world and some are real Insects From Hell.
9. Kill Or Cure
One of the world’s biggest killers is transmitted by an insect, but this is only half the story, insects are being used to offer remarkable cures. Our presenter Jake Willers will bare his flesh to parasites and investigate the amazing healing powers of insect larvae. He’ll take a look at both modern day and traditional African medicine and the role insects play and show you the most hated insects in the world although you might just be surprised at what you find. Whether they Kill or Cure you are about to meet some real Insects From Hell.
10. Venom
Jake's mission brings him face to face with some of the most infamous arthropods - the Brazilian Wandering spiders and Israeli scorpions. So dangerous are these creatures that they are kept under lock and key with a direct link to emergency service. But that's not near enough for Jake to explore their magnificence, so he takes them out for a closer look. We examine arthropod venom, the consequence and the real reason these creatures pack such a potent punch. Meet the ants that have a sting as painful as a bullet and the group of animals that are responsible for more venom based deaths worldwide than any other - the Hymenoptera.
11. X-Periment
Mankind is gradually learning more about arthropods - their sensory perceptions, behaviour and anatomy. But the more we learn, the more we realise there is to learn. Jake takes a trip into the laboratory to see this science in action - some of which offers ideas for engineering and flight that we hadn't even considered. He also discovers the secret of the impossible - how do bumble bees fly? But it isn't only insect flight which we're harnessing. Locusts are providing scientists with a way to produce a car safety system that might just save peoples lives.
12. In Deep Guano
Our presenter Jake Willers is going to take you on an arduous journey across one of Africa’s most crocodile infested rivers to a remote cave, to show you a secret insect world. There he’ll encounter floors crawling with cockroaches and walls covered in spider infested slime. He’ll discover the creature that started this dark and eerie insect micro world, and even capture parasites that may have never been filmed before. Jake will take you on a journey into your nightmares to meet some real Insects From Hell.
13. Jungle
As many as half of the earth's life forms may live in the jungle canopy and most of them are insects. Insects make up the largest single group of animals that live in tropical forests. They include magnificent moths, strange beetles, and huge colonies of ants. There are probably millions of insects still living within this ecosystem that have not yet been scientifically recorded. Jake is on a trek through the jungle to explore and examine the massive diversity of arthropod species hiding among the undergrowth. He'll investigate the amazing social structures of the resident ants, go in search of beetles and discover just what can be found on a single tree. But he gets a few surprises when he ventures out to meet the night crawlers.
1. Eco Warriors
Eco Warriors are the armoured beetles and bugs, with jaws and syringe like mouthparts that eat their way through dung, dead wood and even each other. Our presenter Jake Willers takes you on an incredible close up tour of these amazing animals - from the super predators to the insects which inspire the Hollywood monster movies. He’ll reveal just how essential these Eco Warriors are to the world you live in. And how despite their looks, there’s a lot more to these animals than just being Insects From Hell.
2. Battlefield
Arthropods have had a long time to perfect their attack and defense tactics. Theirs is a world of chemical and biological weapons, poisons, and cutting, crushing and tearing appendages and man is getting in on the action. Arthropods employ every environment from the subterranean to airborne assault. They lay traps, set ambushes, hunt alone and in groups, build and undermine defenses, intercept communications, set scouts, form armies and impersonate their enemies. From the lone hunter-killer to the massed ranks of ant armies, simple ambush to siege warfare, sudden death to `black ops` …join Jake as he explores the ruthless and violent world of the arthropod and examines the lessons man has learned from the arthropod battlefield.
3. Bugs Rule!
From their dawn in the prehistoric oceans to first dominance on land, to the complex insect societies of today - arthropods are the most numerous species on Earth. Their adaptability and sheer numbers have enabled them to survive extinction events, movement of the continents, changing climates and the rise and fall of other dominant animals. Dinosaurs may have ruled the world but arthropods fed on their blood and devoured their carcasses. Meet brood X and witness the largest insect outbreak on earth.
4. Webs And Fangs
Spiders are objects of nightmares…but we’re going to meet them for real. Our presenter Jake Willers will take you for a closer look at some of the biggest, the most venomous and terrifying spiders in the World. But forget your arachnophobia because he’ll show you just how amazing these creatures really are. In the world of spiders it isn’t the size of the fangs that matter… it’s the power of the venom. This is the fascinating world of Webs and Fangs, and Jake will show you that there is a lot more to spiders, even though you might just consider them Insects from Hell!
5. Stings And Claws
Scorpions are feared assassins with a sting in their tail, but our presenter Jake Willers will take you closer than you might dare to show you just how great they really are. He'll also dive under the water to meet a few of the world's amazing crustaceans, the armoured giants and ghosts of the night. This is the fascinating world of Stings and Claws and Jake will prove that despite your fears, these animals are not just Insects From Hell.
6. CSI
A dead human body is a highly nutritious resource…mostly for invertebrates. A fact that, while disgusting to most of us, provides valuable information to crime fighters around the world. Forensic Entomology is at least 150 years old but it is only recently that it has become widely accepted in fighting crime. Today, it is a recognised profession and is even taught as part of the FBI training program. So what part do arthropods play? Jake sets out to investigate some of the cases where forensic entomology has played a vital role and examines how our knowledge of insects can track down murderers.
7. A Bug A Day
This episode examines the commercial importance of insects and other arthropods. Starting with the obvious - food - Jake goes on to look at other commercial products vital to the world's lifestyles and economies. Human consumption of arthropods is not restricted to lobsters, crabs and shrimp. Insects are eaten either as a regular part of their diet, or as a delicacy in many human cultures, but perhaps nowhere as commonly as in Thailand. Here, the markets offer a wealth of insects including giant water bugs, locusts, sago beetle grubs and the larvae and pupae of wasps. Some are fried at street-side stalls, others are delicacies that are critically examined prior to purchase. In southern Africa, dried mopane worms are highly sought after and results in an annual short-lived industry during the "outbreak season." Insect food is turning from a delicacy into a multi national industry. But will Jake's absolute love of everything crawly extend to his dinner. Honey and silk production are major industries worldwide. Other insect products include dyes used in everyday things like lipsticks, and shellac - a natural thermoplastic used in thousands of items from varnishes to cake glazes.
8. Invaders
Invaders! The animals that left their homes and colonised new territories. This really is the invasion of the aliens and arthropods are some of the most opportunistic invasive species ever. With our presenter Jake Willers you’ll meet the giant scorpions which invaded land before the dinosaurs, discover how alien insects are fighting a battle of biological warfare and meet the most successful insect invader of all. These are the Invaders of the animal world and some are real Insects From Hell.
9. Kill Or Cure
One of the world’s biggest killers is transmitted by an insect, but this is only half the story, insects are being used to offer remarkable cures. Our presenter Jake Willers will bare his flesh to parasites and investigate the amazing healing powers of insect larvae. He’ll take a look at both modern day and traditional African medicine and the role insects play and show you the most hated insects in the world although you might just be surprised at what you find. Whether they Kill or Cure you are about to meet some real Insects From Hell.
10. Venom
Jake's mission brings him face to face with some of the most infamous arthropods - the Brazilian Wandering spiders and Israeli scorpions. So dangerous are these creatures that they are kept under lock and key with a direct link to emergency service. But that's not near enough for Jake to explore their magnificence, so he takes them out for a closer look. We examine arthropod venom, the consequence and the real reason these creatures pack such a potent punch. Meet the ants that have a sting as painful as a bullet and the group of animals that are responsible for more venom based deaths worldwide than any other - the Hymenoptera.
11. X-Periment
Mankind is gradually learning more about arthropods - their sensory perceptions, behaviour and anatomy. But the more we learn, the more we realise there is to learn. Jake takes a trip into the laboratory to see this science in action - some of which offers ideas for engineering and flight that we hadn't even considered. He also discovers the secret of the impossible - how do bumble bees fly? But it isn't only insect flight which we're harnessing. Locusts are providing scientists with a way to produce a car safety system that might just save peoples lives.
12. In Deep Guano
Our presenter Jake Willers is going to take you on an arduous journey across one of Africa’s most crocodile infested rivers to a remote cave, to show you a secret insect world. There he’ll encounter floors crawling with cockroaches and walls covered in spider infested slime. He’ll discover the creature that started this dark and eerie insect micro world, and even capture parasites that may have never been filmed before. Jake will take you on a journey into your nightmares to meet some real Insects From Hell.
13. Jungle
As many as half of the earth's life forms may live in the jungle canopy and most of them are insects. Insects make up the largest single group of animals that live in tropical forests. They include magnificent moths, strange beetles, and huge colonies of ants. There are probably millions of insects still living within this ecosystem that have not yet been scientifically recorded. Jake is on a trek through the jungle to explore and examine the massive diversity of arthropod species hiding among the undergrowth. He'll investigate the amazing social structures of the resident ants, go in search of beetles and discover just what can be found on a single tree. But he gets a few surprises when he ventures out to meet the night crawlers.