Wonder Bugs

Wonder Bugs

UpcomingDocumentary showNature

Arthropods are the most successful group of animals on the planet. We know of around 10 million species but many more await discovery. They include insects, spiders, scorpions and crustaceans, creatures which most people simply call bugs.

This series takes a close up look at how bugs survive in their miniature world, how they find food, find mates and avoid being eaten. When seen in extreme close-up, they all appear alien to us. That's because they are about as different from us as it's possible to be. Compared to us they are built inside out, with their skeleton on the outside. But this tough armour made them waterproof and arthropods were the first creatures to conquer dry land. Insects were also the first creatures to take to the air.

There are bugs everywhere. Part of the reason for this success is their ability to eat almost anything. Arthropods have a complex kit of mouthparts, evolved from primitive legs, that can be shaped by evolution to suit all kinds of diets. In the bug world, finding a mate is fraught with problems. Males often have to compete for females, and, from battering rams to horns, male bugs come equipped for fighting. But it's not just rival males that are dangerous. Some females, such as mantises or tarantulas are likely to eat their mates. Bugs are bite-sized packets of protein to many larger predators but they're masters at hiding in plain sight. Many have adapted to resemble the plants on which they live. But such perfect camouflage does more than just hide a potential meal - it allows some to become ambush predators.

Bugs have also evolved other ways to defend themselves. Some are toxic and foul-tasting, and advertise the fact with bright warning colours. Others are more devious. They mimic the warning colours of dangerous bugs. Nothing in Nature goes to waste and bugs play key roles in Nature's recycling teams. Bugs dispose of dead plants and animals. But when they move into our world and try to 'recycle' what they see as dead plants – our stored foods like cereals, and flour - we call them pests. But in reality they're just doing their jobs as Nature's clean-up crew. We might see them as alien, but our world couldn't function without bugs.

Network

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
Futurama
Running

Futurama

Futurama follows pizza guy Philip J. Fry, who reawakens in 31st century New New York after a cryonics lab accident. Now part of the Planet Express delivery crew, Fry travels to the farthest reaches of the universe with his robot buddy Bender and cyclopsian love interest Leela, discovering freaky mutants, intergalactic conspiracies and other strange stuff.

GenreComedy, Adventure, Science-Fiction
Ghosts
Running

Ghosts

Samantha and Jay throw caution to the wind when they convert their recently inherited country estate into a bed-and-breakfast. Call it mislaid plans. Not only is the place falling apart, but it's also inhabited by spirits of previous residents -- whom only Samantha can see and hear. Ghosts spins the funny, heartfelt story about a newfound dream that reveals connection and self-discovery aren't just for the living.

GenreComedy, Supernatural
Hijack
Running

Hijack

Told in real time, Hijack is a tense thriller that follows the journey of a hijacked plane as it makes its way to London over a seven-hour flight, as authorities on the ground scramble for answers. Sam Nelson is an accomplished negotiator in the business world who needs to step up and use all his guile to try and save the lives of the passengers — but his high-risk strategy could be his undoing.

GenreThriller
Euphoria
Running

Euphoria

Euphoria follows a group of high school students as they navigate love and friendships in a world of drugs, sex, trauma, and social media.

GenreDrama, Crime, Thriller
Revival
Running

Revival

Revival is set on one miraculous day in rural Wisconsin when the recently deceased suddenly rise from their graves. But this is no zombie story as the "revived" appear and act just like they once were. When local Officer and single mother Dana Cypress is unexpectedly thrown into the center of a brutal murder mystery of her own, she's left to make sense of the chaos amidst a town gripped by fear and confusion where everyone, alive or undead, is a suspect.

GenreCrime, Science-Fiction, Mystery
* This is an affiliate link. If you click and purchase, we will receive a commission from the provider. This will not incur any additional costs for you and you will support our project. We thank you for your support!