All language subtitles for B.W.S09E05.Pinched.by.an.Elephant.Beetle.Giant.Spider.Found.1080p.AMZN.WEB-DL.DD2.0.H.264-playWEB_track3_[eng]

That is a highly
advanced entomology light trap.

This is my good friend and
world-renowned entomologist,

Jim.

Say hi, Jim.

Hello, guys.

Tonight, we are
using their powers combined

to draw in some of the most
fascinating insects of Costa

Rica, with the goal
of catching and then

showcasing a handful of them
tomorrow under the light of day.

But before we get to
that, Jim, tell us why

is this technology so advanced?

Yeah, totally.

We have a really
incredible light trap

that we use three different
types of light bulbs

to interfere with the
navigation of the insects.

So we have the UV, the white
light, and the mercury vapor

to attract thousands of insects
that we have in this rainforest.

Now, why is that light
combination so important?

What does it replicate?

Yes.

So insects use the
stars and the moon

to navigate inside
of the rainforest.

So now that we have
really dark conditions,

it's like the perfect time
to really attract thousands

of insects in this light trap.

So we are
intercepting their path.

And with any luck, we're going
to see some really cool insects.

This is going to take
a lot of time though.

Arguably, all night.

So we're going to sit back
and enjoy the show to see

what sort of creatures show up.

With over 14 years
of experience,

Jim's field entomology
research is unprecedented,

as he humbly boasts
the discovery of more

than 30 new insect species.

A true fanatic of
creepy crawly things,

he has dedicated his life
to rainforest conservation.

And, as we are about to learn,
it all begins with the bugs.

All right, Jim.

We are about two hours in
since the lights turned on.

There are easily
over 1,000 insects

on the screen at this point.

But when it comes to
biodiversity in Costa Rica,

do we know how
many insect species

there are in this country?

Yeah, absolutely.

So let me explain a little
bit exactly the biodiversity

that we have in
this really small

country in Central America.

Costa Rica has almost
6% of the world's

biodiversity, which is insane
for a country of this size.

Uh-huh.

And we estimate that
it's around a million

species of everything.

You know, plants,
insects, mammals, birds,

reptiles, and many things more.

Really?

A million species
within Costa Rica?

Yes, exactly.

OK.

And 60% of that, over 60%
of that, actually, are insects.

So we don't
know an exact number,

and that's probably because you
guys are constantly discovering

undescribed species.

Totally.

You know, what we
know is at least 20%

of what we have inside of
Costa Rica were really unknown,

you know, the biodiversity
of our country.

So, the insects that we're going
to see tonight, 80% of them

are still undescribed and
aren't named for science.

Really?

So you're saying 80% of the bugs
we might see tonight could be

undescribed, so we could
be seeing new species

that you've never seen before.

Totally, totally.

So, here's an idea.

You're an entomologist.

You know your species.

Some of you may not know, so it
may be suitable to put you up

to the challenge to
see how many of these

you can actually identify.

What I'd love to do is get you
up next to the screen and say,

all right, I'm going
to point at one

and you tell me if
you can identify it.

And let's see how
many you get right

and how many you
just don't know.

Absolutely.

I take the challenge.
- You're up for the challenge?

OK, let's see if you can--
- All right.

Let's see if we
can name some bugs.

We're going to go big.

What's that?

This is one of
the fruit-feeding moths

that we have inside
of the rainforest.

Ooh.

How about this one?

That is Xylophanes
sphinx moths.

Really important pollinator.

Ooh!

What's that?

This is basically a moth
that is mimicking a really

toxic group of beetles.

So that is a moth?

It's a moth that
pretends to be a beetle.

Jim, what's that?

So, basically,
this belongs to a family

that we call Cossidae
or leopard moths.

Another moth.
Great.

Another moth.

All right.

I'm going to guess that
that is not a moth.

Jim, what's this?

Yeah, people think
this is a type of dragonfly.

But actually, it is not.

It's one of the ant lions.

And this is a
predator of insects.

OK, I would
have guessed wrong.

I thought that was a dragonfly.

OK, let me look.

Moth, moth.

Oh, here we go.

What are those?

Well, they're
basically a really important

group of pollinator beetles.

Ooh.

What about this thing down here?

Look at what I've got.

Oh, my gosh.

Ah!

Could be a new species.

Hold on a second.

All right, all right.

I know what this is.

Cicada.

Totally.

OK, this one
is bizarre-looking.

What in the world is that?

[laughs] I love
this group of insects.

We call it fulgurite, and
they are really colorful.

Let me show you.

Oh.

I need to be like really
fast because they jump--

You didn't squash it, did you?

No, no, no, they're
fine, actually.

But let me show you
how cool they are.

What?

It's like a dalmatian
under there.

Yes, absolutely.

All fulgurites are amazing here.

Is that a moth?

They are related with
the cicadas, actually.

Oh.

I mean, related, closely
related with the cicadas.

Not a moth.

Imagine that.
OK.

Look at this.

Is that a new species?

It's so cool, right?

And actually, we have two
species of the same genus.

Oh, my gosh.
You're right.

This is like--
Can you see?

Yeah.

Yes, they are so similar,
but they are like, you know,

different.

The wing patterns are
totally, totally different.

And am I right?
Is that a moth?

- It's a moth.
- It's a moth.

It's a moth.

I got one.
OK.

And what kind of moth?

It belongs to the
Erebidae family, too.

So not a new species.

It's not a new species.

It looks like it
could have been, bud.

OK.

So, let's look at
these right here.

What are those?

Well, you know,
Coyote, sometimes we

don't know what we
have, and it takes

time to realize what it is.

I don't know what it is.

Are you
talking about this one

or are you talking
about that one?

I think both.

Both of them?

Yes, I don't
know what they are.

This looks like some
sort of bat creature.

I know, right?

I'm assuming it's
some sort of a moth, right?

It is a moth.
Both are moths.

Both are moths.

That looks like a
piece of a stick.

Yeah, totally, like
a piece of wood, right?

It's perfect camouflage.

So you're saying you
don't know what these two are.

These could be
undescribed species.

Absolutely.

Absolutely.

And sometimes, you know, we
need to collect those specimens

and then to do the dissection,
to check the genitalia

to compare it with
the closer species

to figure out which
kind of family it is.

And then, if it's unknown,
we can describe the species.

Maybe this could be the Coyote.

We'll just leave that for now.

We'll just say these
are pretty cool.

We're not going to invade
their privacy like that.

Ooh!
What's that one?

OK.

This is a group that
we call Arctiinae.

So, I love this group of moths.

They're trying to
resemble, you know, really

like dangerous species of wasp.

And that is why, you know,
this species looks like this.

Sure, I understand.

So, aposematic coloration,
mimicking a wasp.

Correct.

I was really thinking
I was pointing at a wasp.

Yet again, it's a moth.

Oh, my gosh!

What?

Let me see.

What?

This is insane, Coyote!

Oh, my gosh.

Oh, my gosh!

Oh, my gosh.

What?!

Dude.

Oh, my gosh.

This is insane!

It's one of the largest
beetles of our planet.

That's a huge beetle!

Holy cow!

That is an enormous beetle!

OK, that's the biggest thing
we've seen the entire night.

No, don't even show the
audience yet what that is.

That is insane.

Holy cow!

Yes!
- Dude!

All right.

That is going to be the
ultimate bug of the night.

This, you're going to
absolutely have to see.

Oh, my gosh.

I cannot believe the
size of that thing.

It's insane!

Holy cow.

What kind of beetle is that?

This is basically
Megasoma elephas.

Megasoma elephas!

Or the elephant
beetle, one of the largest

beetles of our planet!

I don't know what that
means, but it's awesome!

Ladies and gentlemen, get ready
to meet the elephant beetle.

This is the moment
we've been waiting for.

Jim, I'm going to let
you do the honors.

Let's bring the beetle
out of the container.

I'm going to place my arm
out in front of the lens.

And my hand's even
shaking a little bit.

Here we go.

Coyote Peterson is about to
handle the elephant beetle.

Are you ready?
- I am ready.

Go ahead.

One of the most strong beetles
of the planet in your hand.

I am ready.

All right.

Ooh!

Those claws are sharp.

He's really mad now.

Wow!

That thing, it has
serious weight to it.

I have never held a beetle
that heavy or that strong.

Ow, ow, ow.

OK.

Let's see if I can just get it
to calm down in one spot there.

And it's so spiky,
the legs as well.

Very spiky.

Now, I know the first
thing that anybody's

going to notice out there
watching is that dominant horn.

Jim, what is the point of
the horn on this animal?

Yeah, totally.

So, this is a male.

So, basically, just the males,
they have that beautiful horn

and they use that for
combat between males

in the forest canopy.

So when they see
another male around,

and especially if there is
a lady around, you know,

they're going to start
like fighting and creating

a huge combat between each
other until one of them

dropped down on the ground.

Now, when it comes
to something of this size,

believe it or not, they're
capable of flying, are they not?

Yes, exactly.

So, these guys are not able
to really take off and fly

away just from the ground.

So they need to climb up trees
to get on the forest canopy.

And from there, they
can jump and take off

because they are super heavy.

This is the second heaviest
insect in the planet.

What's bigger than this?

The Hercules beetle.

Wow.

Maybe it's possible that the
big tree behind our setup

is what this would
have dropped down from.

Yeah, absolutely.

So, the light for sure
attracted this guy.

But yeah, you can realize
that it's one of the most

heavy insects in the planet.

OK.

So I'm obviously
taking the impact

of these grappling
hook-like claws

and all the spines
on the legs, but I

know one question
that the audience

definitely wants answered.

Is this creature
capable of biting?

Does it sting and is it
venomous or poisonous?

Not at all.

It's a harmless animal.

OK.

Really, really
friendly animal.

You know, so people
normally like,

they feel afraid when they
see these enormous creatures,

you know, inside
of the rainforest

or around the houses in
rural areas in Costa Rica.

But yeah, I mean, it's a really
friendly creature, actually.

Yeah, you know, it's
very intimidating-looking.

I mean, they say don't
judge a book by its cover.

You can't judge an insect
on its alien nature.

This looks like something
that would, you know,

grapple onto you and just
inflict a painful bite

or a venomous sting.

But like you said,
completely harmless.

So, what threats does
an animal like this,

and all insects for that matter,
face within the Costa Rican

rainforest?

Yeah.

Well, Coyote, I feel really
worried about the conservation

of this group of
animals because they

are crucial for the
functioning of our ecosystems.

40% of the biomass of
insects are gone in less

than 10 years in Costa Rica.

And there are three really
important problems that still we

need to work to fix this.

So, we are facing, you know,
the losing of habitats that

is around 60% of the
threats of insects

and also, you know, the using
of pesticides in our crops

which is creating a
huge problem with this,

the biomass of insects, and,
of course, climate change.

OK.

So it breaks down into three
categories, essentially.

Mechanical, the
destruction of environment.

Chemical, which is
pesticides and pollution.

And then all inclusive
with climate change itself.

Totally.

And what happens
if, let's say,

all the insects on our
planet were to disappear?

What then happens to humankind?

Yeah.

We disappear with them.

So people do not realize
that we depend on insects.

So all the insects are the
most important creatures.

We cannot imagine
birds without insects.

We can't imagine that we're
going to get food in our table

without insects neither.

People are oftentimes afraid
of insects because they're

misunderstood, and what we're
realizing in talking with you,

Jim, and working with your team
and filming this episode is

that insects need conservation.

We're worried about things
like polar bears and rhinos

and all of these
megafauna species.

While that conservation
is certainly important,

these creatures need
our support as well.

So, while the major
goals that we have right now

is to keep protecting, you
know, the tropical rainforest,

still, there are many areas that
are for sale that are, you know,

unprotected.

And that is what we're trying
to do, to protect the habitats

of really endangered
species that keeps

disappearing in our planet.

You know, it's crucial.

And I think, you know,
to save the rainforest

would be one of
the best solutions

against climate change.

Jim, thank you so
much for having us--

Thank you, Coyote.

- as a part of your
research on this trip.

Amazing.

We're going
to release this beetle

back out into the wild tonight.

So we'll show you guys
some of those shots.

But, Jim, this has
been fantastic.

All right.

Can I challenge you something?

You challenged me,
I challenge you.

Oh, you're going to
give me a challenge?

- Of course.
- What's the challenge?

To put that
animal in your face.

Oh.

On my face.
Wow.

OK, well--
- Yeah, it's--

I'm not one to turn
down a challenge.

You're my favorite face,
so you should try that.

OK.

I have a feeling that
everybody out there watching

is like, yeah, Coyote,
let's see what happens when

you place that on your face.

Man, I'm kind of
actually worried

a little bit about my eyeballs.

But OK, here we go.
- All right.

- I'll put it on the--
- You must try that.

- on the side of my head.

I'm closing my eye
though for this one.

All right, ready?
Here we go.

OK.

One, two, three.

Oh, no, the nails.

You can see how
much strong it is.

Oh, it's in my ear.

Oh, no.

Ahh!

Wow, they're really,
really sharp.

Ow.

OK, I think we can get
the beetle off now.

OK, OK, OK.

Protect my eyes.

Oh, no, no, no, no, no.

All right.

I got it.

Well, there you have it, guys.

The ultimate bug amphitheater.

I'm Coyote Peterson.

Be brave.

Stay wild.

We'll see you on
the next adventure.

Thank you.

Jim, that was awesome.

During my time spent
working alongside Jim,

I garnered a new understanding
for the importance of insects.

To put it simply, without
these alien-looking creatures

many of us consider creepy,
there would be no us.

Insects are pollinators.

And without them,
the plants from which

we rely so heavily as a
food source for survival

would disappear.

And if the plants vanish,
it's just a few measly years

before the human species, as
we know it, ceases to exist.

Well, we are hiking through
the middle of the rainforest.

And wow, if you
have arachnophobia,

did we find your
living nightmare.

Just in front of us here
is the largest tarantula

I have ever seen in Costa Rica.

Christina, what was your
initial response to this?

Oh, my goodness.

That thing is creepy.

It is the size of my head.

No joke.

I mean, I've seen
some spiders before.

This is the biggest
spider I've ever seen.

Never seen one like this
in Costa Rica before.

We technically
wrapped up filming.

But, of course,
on our last night,

we've got to go out and
still look for stuff.

Just doing photographs, but
you bring a GoPro just in case

a moment like this happens.

Dude,
check out those fangs.

Now, the fact that
it's right here in the middle

of the trail means that
it is not by a burrow,

so it is actively
out and hunting.

Ooh, ooh.

We definitely
got to show comparison.

Do you want me
to put my hand next to it?

Yeah.

Yeah, you could
probably sneak in.

OK.

Oh, this is not creepy at all.

Christina,
are you nervous?

Yeah, I am.

I love spiders.

I just-- I'm not a big
fan of them jumping on me.

You know, all spiders
are technically venomous

and they can bite,
so be careful.

That's
fantastic, Christina.

Put it on the ground.
You can do it.

Hold on.
It's a venomous spider.

Oh!

Come on, Christina.

The little spider
just touched it.

Come on, you can do it.

I need it all
the way on the ground

and spread out a little bit.
Ugh.

Come on,
come on, come on.

Oh, my gosh.

OK, you're good.

Here, now you got a scale.

Yeah, that's
pretty awesome.

Who's got the
guts to handle it?

I don't really
want to get bitten by it,

but I do want to try to hold it.

I want to
see you hold it, too.

I just kind of want to test
my own nerves to try to hold it.

What is moving around back here?

Something
is back here.

We did not check
the area for fertile ants.

Now, before
I roll the dice

and try to handle this
gargantuan nightmare,

I want to point out
that arachnophobia

is one of the most common fears
humans are willing to admit.

Personally I've
pushed the limits

of eight-legged
worst-case scenarios

by free-handling the highly
venomous brown recluse.

And not once, but
twice have I danced

with the notorious black widow.

These are two of the
most dangerous spider

species in the
United States based

on the toxicity of their venom.

Worldwide, I braved many
skin-crawling spider scenarios,

including the highly
venomous wandering spider

and the most deadly
arachnid on our planet,

the Sydney funnel-web spider.

Just one bite from
a male spider would

be considered a guaranteed death
sentence, unless anti-venom

is administered.

One time, I even put my head
in a box full of spiders.

I suppose you probably
already know that I do

not suffer from arachnophobia.

- Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
- Oh, no, no, no.

Careful.
Don't move.

You're good.

I'm just being super chill.

No.

Oh.

Don't move, don't move,
don't move, don't move.

Here, let me
grab the GoPro from you.

Put your hand flat.

Put your hand flat.
Yeah, I'm going to.

I'm trying to just--

I can't do it with
the camera in my hand.

All right.

So I'm going to try
to hold the tarantula.

And based on his
demeanor, Christina,

you might try to hold
the tarantula, too.

I'm going to try
to keep my hands--

don't move.

Oh, no!

Christina.

Don't move, Christina.

Don't leave it to me.

Oh, gosh.

Oh, my god.

Look at that.

That is a very, very
large tarantula.

Oh, my gosh.

Without question, the
biggest spider I've ever held.

Wow.

Those little toes are
very, very grippy.

Look at all of the hairs
on the legs of that spider.

Amazing.

It actually does
have little hooks on it and--

of its toes.
- It does.

Yeah.

And this is definitely a
species that likely came down

from the treetops earlier and is
out and about either hunting--

Oh, my gosh.

- or looking for a mate.

I love spiders,
but that's pretty--

All right.

Christina, come
over to the side.

- No.
- You can do it.

Come on, come on, come on.
Put your hand out.

- Dude, are you serious?
- Come over to the side.

Get by the side of me.

You can do it.

Look, if it was
going to bite, it

would have already bitten you.

It's going
to bite me though.

OK.

I'm the person
that it's going to bite.

You're brave.
You can do this.

This is the ultimate
"Brave Wilderness"

challenge right here.

No, we already did
ultimate brave challenges.

Well, we're still challenging.

Put your hands out flat like you
see here and just stay still.

Trust me.

If this spider
was going to bite,

it would have already happened.

You can do it.

Come on.

Come on.

Put your hands out flat, too.

Come on, come on, come on.

Hold your hands up.

Let's see if it
walks down on you.

There you go.

Now you see how I'm doing
that, one hand to the next?

There you go.

One hand to the next.

You got it.

Look at you handling
enormous forest tarantula.

All right.

You go ahead and take
care of that spider.

I'm going to go ahead
and get my phone

out here so I can get a picture
of you handling the tarantula.

Don't drop it.
- Oh, my god.

You got this.

You're doing awesome.

Ooh, I got some text messages.

It's very pretty.

Don't work on your text
messages right now.

All right.

Give me a little bit
more light, Mario.

Sweet.

Sweet.

That's the one.

OK.

Hand the spider back off to me.

So gentle.

Well, on our
last night in Costa Rica,

we expected to just come
out and do some photography

but, of course, we end
up doing an episode.

And Christina, you faced your
ultimate challenge of the trip,

handling a giant spider.

Yes.

I'm going to let it
crawl onto your hand,

and you do the honors of
releasing it back into the wild.

Hello, my beautiful
little woodland friend.

Are you ready?

And you just set
it down into the underbrush

and let him walk.

I don't know if I
want to say goodbye yet.

We had such a good
time together.

When it
comes to spiders,

there are two things
you really need to know.

First is that all spiders
are armed with fangs

and are capable of biting.

And the second is
that all spiders

are technically venomous.

So when you combine the ability
to bite with the addition

of a toxic injection
of venom, it's

wise to assume that
spiders are not something

you want to interact with.

Serious or life-threatening
bites are rare,

and almost all bites are
a defense against humans.

So if a spider scurries
across your path,

it's best to let it
travel on its way

because, believe it
or not, spiders are

more afraid of getting
squished by humans

than you probably realize.