Original subtitles

NARRATOR: When the sound of buzzing fills the air in central Europe...

...it's summer - high season in the insect kingdom.

A time to feed and a time to breed.

But, as it gets colder...

...life gets tough for insects.

Some birds head south,

while some mammals hibernate,

while some mammals hibernate,

or endeavor to survive.

But...

...where do all the insects go?

...where do all the insects go?

(Birds sing)

(Birds sing)

NARRATOR: It's late summer - harvest time.

NARRATOR: It's late summer - harvest time.

(Birds sing)

(Birds sing)

NARRATOR: Buzzing and humming fills the air.

(Insects buzz)

(Insects buzz)

NARRATOR: Insects gather nectar and pollen.

NARRATOR: Insects gather nectar and pollen.

The color and shine of ripe fruit

proclaims that they're ready to be eaten.

proclaims that they're ready to be eaten.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR: Apple trees are the star attraction here.

Their sweet fruit

provides a chance to load up on calories

before winter comes.

before winter comes.

It's heaven for many hungry insects.

Each has evolved its own special way

of dealing with the coming winter.

Their paths will soon separate

Their paths will soon separate

as they use different strategies to survive.

(Bird whistles)

(Bird whistles)

NARRATOR: Fallen apples are a favorite of hornets.

NARRATOR: Fallen apples are a favorite of hornets.

Although adult hornets are predators,

the juice of apples is an energy-rich food

the juice of apples is an energy-rich food

they don't pass up.

Gathering this food source is the fuel

to prepare their colony for the winter.

to prepare their colony for the winter.

Hornets often build their nest inside hollowed trees.

Hornets often build their nest inside hollowed trees.

A guardian hornet at the entrance

checks who's coming and going, and fans fresh air inside.

checks who's coming and going, and fans fresh air inside.

The nest construction has been underway since the spring.

The nest construction has been underway since the spring.

Workers constantly expand their home

Workers constantly expand their home

with a pulp made of chewed wood.

But this residence isn't permanent.

But this residence isn't permanent.

The colony will only live here for this one summer.

Inside the nest, with a single entrance, is the nursery,

which fills the entire structure.

which fills the entire structure.

There's no food storage here

and the workers tirelessly feed the larvae

and the workers tirelessly feed the larvae

the harvested apple juice.

Presiding over the colony is the much bigger queen.

Presiding over the colony is the much bigger queen.

She continuously lays eggs, each into its own cell.

She continuously lays eggs, each into its own cell.

Now, in late summer,

the nest is home to as many as 700 workers.

the nest is home to as many as 700 workers.

This is their peak population.

This is their peak population.

But none of the workers, and not even the queen,

will survive the winter.

will survive the winter.

But their hard work will ensure a new queen

and a new colony next spring.

(Hornets buzz)

(Hornets buzz)

NARRATOR: Right next door, there's another outpost of the insect kingdom...

NARRATOR: Right next door, there's another outpost of the insect kingdom...

...a honey bee hive.

Bees have a different strategy than the hornets.

Bees have a different strategy than the hornets.

Their plan is for the whole colony to survive the winter.

Their plan is for the whole colony to survive the winter.

(Bees buzz)

(Bees buzz)

NARRATOR: Workers with yellow pollen sticking to their back legs

return to the hive to unload their bounty.

return to the hive to unload their bounty.

But some members of the colony are barred from entering.

But some members of the colony are barred from entering.

At the hive entrance, a cruel drama

At the hive entrance, a cruel drama

is unfolding ahead of winter.

Guards stop all the drones, the male bees,

Guards stop all the drones, the male bees,

and ruthlessly expel them.

Now that the mating season is over,

Now that the mating season is over,

all drones are expelled from the hive

since they are no longer of any use.

since they are no longer of any use.

Drones are unable to feed themselves,

so would be a drain on the hive's food reserves.

so would be a drain on the hive's food reserves.

They're left to starve in exile,

sacrificed to ensure the colony survives winter.

sacrificed to ensure the colony survives winter.

Meanwhile, the worker bees

busily stock up on winter supplies.

busily stock up on winter supplies.

Unlike hornets, bees have vast areas of the hive

dedicated to storing food.

dedicated to storing food.

Some cells hold protein-rich pollen,

while others hold nectar, which will thicken into honey.

while others hold nectar, which will thicken into honey.

These stores are necessary to support the hive,

which can be home to up to 60,000 bees.

which can be home to up to 60,000 bees.

(Bees buzz)

(Bees buzz)

NARRATOR: While the queen can live up to five years,

her workers will only live for six

her workers will only live for six

frenetic weeks in summer, preparing the hive for winter.

It's all so that these larvae can become winter bees,

It's all so that these larvae can become winter bees,

which can live up to 6 months,

ensuring the hive survives the cold season.

ensuring the hive survives the cold season.

The days still feel pleasantly warm.

The days still feel pleasantly warm.

(Birds sing)

NARRATOR: But as the sun sets, temperatures can plummet.

NARRATOR: But as the sun sets, temperatures can plummet.

Morning arrives, clad in a layer of fine, cool mist.

Morning arrives, clad in a layer of fine, cool mist.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR: And dew laces leaves, blossoms...

NARRATOR: And dew laces leaves, blossoms...

...and even the wings of dragonflies.

...and even the wings of dragonflies.

Like all insects, they are cold-blooded:

their body temperature changing with the air temperature.

their body temperature changing with the air temperature.

The cold night leaves them stiff and unable to move.

The cold night leaves them stiff and unable to move.

They sunbathe to reach operating temperature.

(♪♪♪)

(Toad croaks)

(Toad croaks)

NARRATOR: Most adult dragonflies live for only one summer,

dying when winter sets in.

dying when winter sets in.

It's their larvae, known as a nymphs,

It's their larvae, known as a nymphs,

that survive the winter.

The nymph lives underwater, and, depending on the species,

The nymph lives underwater, and, depending on the species,

can remain there for up to four years

before leaving the water to become an adult dragonfly.

before leaving the water to become an adult dragonfly.

It breathes by drawing water into its body

and over internal gills.

and over internal gills.

In contrast,

the great diving beetle

must visit the surface for oxygen.

must visit the surface for oxygen.

It captures air under its wings, like a scuba diver,

It captures air under its wings, like a scuba diver,

and can then stay submerged for longer periods of time.

Fast-moving ambush hunters,

they're capable of taking fish

almost as big as themselves,

almost as big as themselves,

as they stock up on calories for the coming winter.

Above water, as fall approaches,

other species of the forest are just reaching maturity.

other species of the forest are just reaching maturity.

Mushrooms stretch their caps out of the ground,

spreading their spores and propagating the next generation.

spreading their spores and propagating the next generation.

They spend most of the year beneath the earth's surface

They spend most of the year beneath the earth's surface

as mycelium, a root-like weave.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR: Still deeper under the forest floor,

NARRATOR: Still deeper under the forest floor,

a strange creature is stirring.

This is the larva of a famed beetle.

This is the larva of a famed beetle.

It looks nothing like its parents,

and to the untrained eye,

there's no clue to the animal it will become.

there's no clue to the animal it will become.

The larva lives underground for up to six years,

The larva lives underground for up to six years,

feeding on decaying wood and building up fat reserves.

The insulated earth provides a perfect home,

The insulated earth provides a perfect home,

especially in the cold winter.

After about five years of growth as a larva,

After about five years of growth as a larva,

it digs out an underground chamber in the soil

to begin a dramatic transformation.

to begin a dramatic transformation.

With the early autumn, this larva prepares to pupate,

With the early autumn, this larva prepares to pupate,

the final stage of its metamorphosis,

the jaw structures revealing

the impressive adult it will become...

the impressive adult it will become...

...a stag beetle.

(Birds sing)

(Birds sing)

NARRATOR: Autumn paints the leaves in a rich palette of colors,

the fruits of the forest ripen...

the fruits of the forest ripen...

...only to be hidden by a jay in his winter larder.

...only to be hidden by a jay in his winter larder.

The dormouse forages for beech nuts...

The dormouse forages for beech nuts...

...life-saving fat reserves for the long winter sleep.

...life-saving fat reserves for the long winter sleep.

Fog dances, blanketing the woods...

Fog dances, blanketing the woods...

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR: ...leaving the valley cloaked with mist.

The meadow saffron, or autumn crocus, emerges,

a rare splash of vibrant color.

a rare splash of vibrant color.

As the weather grows colder and wetter,

As the weather grows colder and wetter,

the hornets embark on some home improvements

to their nest ahead of winter,

reducing the size of their front door to prevent heat loss.

reducing the size of their front door to prevent heat loss.

But, they're doomed.

Unlike their cousins, the honey bees,

Unlike their cousins, the honey bees,

neither their colony nor their nest are designed

to stockpile supplies and keep them warm

to stockpile supplies and keep them warm

during the cold winter months.

In the nest, significantly fewer workers are now active.

In the nest, significantly fewer workers are now active.

But there's still a gruesome job to do.

But there's still a gruesome job to do.

They drag live larvae from their cells...

...and dump them outside the nest to die.

They no longer need new workers.

They no longer need new workers.

Outside, the larval cemetery grows.

They've even stopped feeding their queen.

After giving birth to this colony,

she's starved out of her own kingdom

she's starved out of her own kingdom

and dies after only a year of life.

A lucky few larvae still receive food.

A lucky few larvae still receive food.

They're the only ones left in the colony

who have a chance to survive,

who have a chance to survive,

as next year's queens.

As the hornets clean house,

ladybugs prepare for the big chill.

ladybugs prepare for the big chill.

With no nests to speak of,

With no nests to speak of,

they need another way to survive the winter cold.

They hunt for shelter...

...following aggregation pheromones to nooks and crannies

...following aggregation pheromones to nooks and crannies

between boulders and wall cracks.

In popular spots, they often gather

In popular spots, they often gather

in the hundreds; this helps reduce dehydration.

in the hundreds; this helps reduce dehydration.

They are one of the amazing creatures

capable of producing a type of antifreeze,

which allows them to cope with temperatures

which allows them to cope with temperatures

as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit.

In their secure niches,

In their secure niches,

with anti-freeze pumped through their bodies,

they will cease to eat

and enter a type of suspended animation.

and enter a type of suspended animation.

They'll stay here for months,

not venturing outside to forage even on warmer winter days.

not venturing outside to forage even on warmer winter days.

As fall progresses,

As fall progresses,

cranes are among the many species of birds

flying south,

where food is easier to find.

where food is easier to find.

(Cranes squawk)

NARRATOR: In northern climates,

NARRATOR: In northern climates,

barely anything blooms in fall,

except the ivy...

except the ivy...

...which unfurls its modest blossoms.

Butterflies and bees,

wasps and hoverflies arrive in droves,

attracted by the last food source

before winter tightens its icy grip.

before winter tightens its icy grip.

The red admiral tops up its energy reserves on nectar,

The red admiral tops up its energy reserves on nectar,

ready for an epic long-haul flight.

It's one of the last butterflies

seen before winter,

and, just like migratory birds,

and, just like migratory birds,

it flies south for the cold season...

...leaving central Europe to travel

...leaving central Europe to travel

an incredible 600 miles.

They cross alpine passes over

8 thousand feet high...

...to start a new generation of admirals

...to start a new generation of admirals

in the frost-free climes of southern Europe.

in the frost-free climes of southern Europe.

While they're heading south,

groundhogs retreat into sometimes elaborate,

groundhogs retreat into sometimes elaborate,

padded nest chambers to hibernate until spring.

North of the Alps, autumn still has some

North of the Alps, autumn still has some

golden days in store.

Vineyards glow...

...and the fall sun ripens

the final grapes of the season...

...which prove irresistible to the last surviving hornets.

...which prove irresistible to the last surviving hornets.

The fermenting grapes provide a drunken farewell feast

for their final days of life.

for their final days of life.

Only the new young queens that have emerged

Only the new young queens that have emerged

have any chance of surviving the winter.

Like many insects, they take shelter deep underground,

Like many insects, they take shelter deep underground,

where they're protected by the insulation of the earth.

where they're protected by the insulation of the earth.

There's the promise of new life here, too.

There's the promise of new life here, too.

A clutch of tiny earwig eggs

A clutch of tiny earwig eggs

lies in an underground incubator.

A tasty meal for an earth-runner,

a predatory centipede.

a predatory centipede.

But the mother of the eggs is here to protect them.

The earwig is a dedicated mother,

The earwig is a dedicated mother,

a rarity in the insect world.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR: Agitated by any trespassers,

NARRATOR: Agitated by any trespassers,

she spreads her pincer,

ready to defend her offspring.

(Suspenseful music)

(Suspenseful music)

NARRATOR: The intruder retreats.

An earwig clutch holds up to 70 eggs.

Every one barely

Every one barely

1/16th inch long,

smaller than the head of a matchstick.

smaller than the head of a matchstick.

The mother constantly brushes the eggs with her mouthparts...

...cleaning off molds and keeping the clutch damp,

...cleaning off molds and keeping the clutch damp,

so it doesn't dry out in the winter air.

Unusual for an insect,

Unusual for an insect,

she'll care for her clutch throughout the cold season.

(Running water)

(Running water)

NARRATOR: In woodlands, falling levels of chlorophyll

NARRATOR: In woodlands, falling levels of chlorophyll

turns the leaves from green to gold.

In the clearings, the roars of rutting red deer

In the clearings, the roars of rutting red deer

can be heard.

(Deer rut and roar)

(Deer rut and roar)

(Deer roars)

(Deer roars)

NARRATOR: It's a few weeks since the alien larva

transformed in its cozy chamber

12 inches underground.

12 inches underground.

It's now a fully-developed male stag beetle.

It's now a fully-developed male stag beetle.

He lies quietly on his back,

in his cradle, barely moving, to save energy.

in his cradle, barely moving, to save energy.

He'll remain hidden in the warmth and security

of his little chamber,

safe from the ravages of the winter,

safe from the ravages of the winter,

until spring comes.

Because outside, it's getting cold!

Because outside, it's getting cold!

The dormouse has long since withdrawn into a cave

for winter sleep, curled up into a ball

for winter sleep, curled up into a ball

to stay warm.

As the temperature plummets, the fog turns into hoar frost,

As the temperature plummets, the fog turns into hoar frost,

a frozen water vapor that covers the landscape.

a frozen water vapor that covers the landscape.

Most insects have disappeared.

Most insects have disappeared.

But for some, the first frost

But for some, the first frost

is an incredible wake-up call.

As soon as the temperature drops below freezing,

As soon as the temperature drops below freezing,

and night falls...

a spectacular event unfolds...

a spectacular event unfolds...

...the winter moths emerge.

At first, the males of these

At first, the males of these

one-inch-long insects

swarm around the trees.

Later that night, winter moth females crawl

up the tree trunks. They look like

up the tree trunks. They look like

a completely different species.

It's time for them to find a mate, but their small,

It's time for them to find a mate, but their small,

stub wings are useless for flying.

stub wings are useless for flying.

Instead, they stay put,

and emit strong smelling pheromones into the air,

which can attract males from a distance

which can attract males from a distance

of up to over half a mile.

In freezing temperatures,

In freezing temperatures,

the oddly-matched couples mate.

Shortly after, the females lay their fertilized eggs

Shortly after, the females lay their fertilized eggs

in cracks in the bark.

Both males and females die within days,

without eating a single meal.

without eating a single meal.

They emerge only to produce their eggs,

which will withstand the winter cold and hatch in the spring.

which will withstand the winter cold and hatch in the spring.

(Bird squawks)

(Bird squawks)

NARRATOR: The first snow falls.

Underground, insulated from the icy outside world,

Underground, insulated from the icy outside world,

the temperature is slightly warmer and more stable,

the key to survival for underground insects.

the key to survival for underground insects.

A tiny spider has entered the breeding chamber of the earwig.

It's got its eye on a tasty egg.

The mother is already on her guard.

The mother is already on her guard.

She alternates between cleaning...

She alternates between cleaning...

...and attack.

But the spider won't give up.

The mother attacks again,

raising her tail to strike.

A blow from those pincers could kill.

(Dramatic music)

(Dramatic music)

NARRATOR: The spider retreats,

NARRATOR: The spider retreats,

leaving the clutch of earwig eggs unharmed.

Mother and young are safe for now.

The snowy landscapes look tranquil and beautiful.

But winter can be deadly.

Mammals have evolved to have a thick,

Mammals have evolved to have a thick,

life-saving layer of fur.

It's a struggle to reach food,

It's a struggle to reach food,

and the cold means they need more energy than usual.

(Bird squawks)

As the temperature plunges...

As the temperature plunges...

...streams start freezing.

...streams start freezing.

But under the ice, the water temperature is relatively warm

But under the ice, the water temperature is relatively warm

and the stream bed never gets colder

than 39 degrees Fahrenheit.

than 39 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Dragonfly nymph has retreated here for the winter.

The Dragonfly nymph has retreated here for the winter.

The cold dramatically slows its metabolism,

so it lies still and waits,

surviving off what it ate earlier in the year.

It won't need to eat again until spring.

This same tactic is also used by the great diving beetle.

This same tactic is also used by the great diving beetle.

The ice stops it surfacing for air,

The ice stops it surfacing for air,

but there's enough stored in the "scuba tanks"

under its wings to last right through winter.

under its wings to last right through winter.

A slower winter metabolism requires less oxygen

and no food.

They calmly lie on the stream bed,

waiting for the thaw.

A thick layer of snow now covers the land.

Somewhere under this white blanket,

Somewhere under this white blanket,

the young hornet queen has buried herself

under the earth and endures winter.

under the earth and endures winter.

Her former home,

Her former home,

long abandoned.

But the old hornet nest has a visitor.

But the old hornet nest has a visitor.

The shrew can't hibernate.

It must stay active,

It must stay active,

hunting for insects all year round

or it will freeze to death.

or it will freeze to death.

It scours the empty hornet nest

to find some dead larvae,

to find some dead larvae,

a nice package of protein in the lean winter.

Next door,

the hive is humming.

the hive is humming.

In fact, the colder it gets,

the louder the buzzing.

The bees huddle together in what's called

The bees huddle together in what's called

a "winter grape" for warmth.

Even in freezing temperatures,

Even in freezing temperatures,

it's a cozy 68 degrees Fahrenheit

on the inside.

on the inside.

The colony has shrunk,

but it still has about 20,000 members.

but it still has about 20,000 members.

(Bees buzz)

NARRATOR: The bees flap their wings to increase their body temperature

NARRATOR: The bees flap their wings to increase their body temperature

and generate heat, like thousands of tiny stoves.

(Bees buzz)

(Bees buzz)

NARRATOR: It's warmer at the center,

NARRATOR: It's warmer at the center,

so they rotate places to make sure

every bee gets some time in the hot spot.

The heat from their beating wings

The heat from their beating wings

melts the honey they stored in the summer.

They pass it to one another from mouth to mouth.

Thanks to teamwork,

Thanks to teamwork,

somewhere in the middle of the teeming hive,

the most important member of the colony survives...

the most important member of the colony survives...

...their queen.

As temperatures creep above 32 degrees Fahrenheit,

the worst of the freeze retreats.

the worst of the freeze retreats.

Spring is still a long way off,

but it only takes the faintest hint of warmth

but it only takes the faintest hint of warmth

for snowdrops and crocuses to bloom.

for snowdrops and crocuses to bloom.

The tiny hike in temperature is enough

The tiny hike in temperature is enough

for life to start stirring underground.

Brown dots appear in the earwigs' eggs.

Brown dots appear in the earwigs' eggs.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR: A shell bursts open...

NARRATOR: A shell bursts open...

...and a baby earwig struggles to emerge.

The brown dots are the eyes.

The brown dots are the eyes.

Like the dragonfly,

Like the dragonfly,

the larva is called a nymph,

a poetic name for a larva

that already resembles its imposing parents.

that already resembles its imposing parents.

It's still quite transparent.

But with every casting of its skin,

it will look more and more like its mother.

it will look more and more like its mother.

Their shells quickly grow darker.

Late hatchers need to get a move on...

Late hatchers need to get a move on...

...because what looks like a harmless ball game...

...actually has murderous intent.

...actually has murderous intent.

Hungry earwig nymphs are trying to crack the shells

and eat their sibling.

Those who succeed get a meal,

Those who succeed get a meal,

and calories that could make the difference

between life and death.

(Sinister music)

(Birds sing)

NARRATOR: Above ground,

sunshine unfurls the leaves and blossoms...

sunshine unfurls the leaves and blossoms...

...a supply of food for the first bees venturing out.

They must replenish the depleted stocks of food

They must replenish the depleted stocks of food

back in the hive.

(Bee buzzes)

(Bee buzzes)

(Bee buzzes)

(Bee buzzes)

NARRATOR: They return home to a gruesome scene...

...hundreds of dead bees littered outside the hive.

...hundreds of dead bees littered outside the hive.

The pile of corpses is part of an essential spring cleaning

to get ready for the next stage of the hive's life cycle.

to get ready for the next stage of the hive's life cycle.

These are winter bees that kept the colony alive

These are winter bees that kept the colony alive

through the cold, but have died throughout the winter.

A spring cleaning...

A spring cleaning...

...the bees clear out the corpses

for the health of the hive.

for the health of the hive.

Inside, the colony prepares for summer.

Inside, the colony prepares for summer.

Having survived the winter in the safety of the hive,

the queen is already doing her job of repopulating it.

the queen is already doing her job of repopulating it.

She lays one egg after another,

as many as 2,000 a day.

as many as 2,000 a day.

By the end of the year, she will have laid

By the end of the year, she will have laid

up to 200,000 eggs.

Every egg has its own private cell.

Every egg has its own private cell.

There, the workers look after it

until the larva reaches the pupa stage.

until the larva reaches the pupa stage.

In another cell, the big moment has arrived.

Attended by workers,

a summer bee is emerging.

a summer bee is emerging.

It must chew its way out of its waxy cell.

It must chew its way out of its waxy cell.

Like all new workers, it will spend its first few days

helping to groom the queen

helping to groom the queen

before flying out to forage for food.

Outside, greenery bursts forth as the temperature rises.

Taking advantage of the warmer weather,

the earwig mother has foraged above ground...

the earwig mother has foraged above ground...

...and brought home a breakfast of fresh leaves for her brood.

Earwigs aren't just predators, they're omnivores...

...and the growing nymphs are always hungry.

...and the growing nymphs are always hungry.

Their shells are still translucent,

Their shells are still translucent,

so as they eat, their vegetarian meal

turns them a vivid green.

turns them a vivid green.

Above ground, the weather springs a surprise.

Above ground, the weather springs a surprise.

It's not falling blossoms,

It's not falling blossoms,

but the return of snow.

Unwilling to give up yet,

winter mounts a comeback.

The sudden chill could spell disaster,

not just for blossom trees,

but also for insects.

but also for insects.

In the breeding chamber of the earwigs,

In the breeding chamber of the earwigs,

the return of winter brings a sacrifice.

The earwig mother exhausted herself caring for her young...

The earwig mother exhausted herself caring for her young...

...and dies.

...and dies.

To her ungrateful offspring,

To her ungrateful offspring,

she's just another food source.

The earwig nymphs crack open her shell

with their mouths and tuck in.

Her final macabre gift to her brood

is to give them the calories they need

is to give them the calories they need

to survive till they reach maturity.

(Birds sing)

(Birds sing)

NARRATOR: But winter only has a brief reappearance.

NARRATOR: But winter only has a brief reappearance.

(Birds sing)

(Birds sing)

NARRATOR: As the days get longer,

love is in the air.

love is in the air.

Birds choose their partners...

...and the first chicks hatch.

(Baby ducks quack)

NARRATOR: The blooming season brings food for many species...

NARRATOR: The blooming season brings food for many species...

...marsh marigold, catkins...

...and aquatic plants.

Amid the reeds, common toads begin mating,

Amid the reeds, common toads begin mating,

several smaller males competing for one female.

several smaller males competing for one female.

Only one male wins.

As the mating toads swim,

As the mating toads swim,

their three-foot-long string of eggs

trails behind them.

When the tadpoles hatch,

some will provide precious calories

for reawakening hungry water insects.

for reawakening hungry water insects.

As the water warms up, the metabolism

of the great diving beetle increases.

of the great diving beetle increases.

It sets off to hunt again to make up for its winter fast.

It sets off to hunt again to make up for its winter fast.

Almost invisible,

a dragonfly nymph stalks its prey...

a dragonfly nymph stalks its prey...

...a toad tadpole.

...a toad tadpole.

The nymph's mouthparts are cleverly adapted

to shoot forward and catch prey at a distance.

to shoot forward and catch prey at a distance.

The great diving beetle quickly reproduces after the winter.

The great diving beetle quickly reproduces after the winter.

Its swimming larva develops fast...

Its swimming larva develops fast...

...and is already a skilled aquatic hunter,

strong enough to kill a toad tadpole almost as big as itself.

Its voracious appetite will allow it to pupate

into an adult beetle in a few months,

into an adult beetle in a few months,

before the next winter sets in.

As the mercury surges upwards,

different species of dragonfly nymphs

different species of dragonfly nymphs

emerge from the water to climb the reeds...

...and clamber out of their exoskeleton.

...and clamber out of their exoskeleton.

After pumping up their wings...

...and allowing them to harden...

...and allowing them to harden...

...they are ready to fly...

...and find a mate.

(Birds sing)

(Birds sing)

NARRATOR: Out in the meadow, a young hornet queen

who survived the winter...

who survived the winter...

(Hornet buzzes)

NARRATOR: ...has found a suitable tree hole

to start a new colony.

to start a new colony.

She must start from scratch, single-handedly,

She must start from scratch, single-handedly,

build the nest, forage for food,

lay the eggs,

feed her growing larvae.

feed her growing larvae.

It's a round-the-clock job...

...and it lasts for weeks.

Finally, 14 days after laying her first egg,

Finally, 14 days after laying her first egg,

the hard work pays off.

Returning to the nest with food...

Returning to the nest with food...

...she finds her first hatchling...

...which immediately starts

...which immediately starts

looking after its sibling larvae.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR: Now the queen has a nanny in the nursery.

NARRATOR: Now the queen has a nanny in the nursery.

She's still the breadwinner,

bringing food she pre-chews for the infants.

bringing food she pre-chews for the infants.

But they both share feeding duties.

But they both share feeding duties.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR: A few days later, she gets a second helper.

NARRATOR: A few days later, she gets a second helper.

There are many hungry mouths to feed.

Two or three days after they pupate,

new workers will join the hunt for food.

new workers will join the hunt for food.

Tree sap is perfect...

Tree sap is perfect...

...full of energy-rich sugar.

In the forest, many trees are budding.

In the forest, many trees are budding.

A giant oak unfurls its leaves.

The winter moth caterpillars have emerged on the oak tree.

The winter moth caterpillars have emerged on the oak tree.

They're little more than feeding machines.

They must consume all the calories they can

They must consume all the calories they can

so that when they briefly emerge as moths next winter,

they'll have enough energy to mate.

they'll have enough energy to mate.

On the forest floor, a fire salamander appears,

On the forest floor, a fire salamander appears,

having survived the winter

sheltering in a frost-free fissure or cave.

sheltering in a frost-free fissure or cave.

A dormouse wakes from its hibernation.

A dormouse wakes from its hibernation.

And, finally, the stag beetle that waited

And, finally, the stag beetle that waited

patiently on its back

now emerges from its subterranean winter home.

His first instinct... to find a mate.

His first instinct... to find a mate.

He picks up the pheromones of a nearby female.

He picks up the pheromones of a nearby female.

But he's not the only one attracted to her scent.

But he's not the only one attracted to her scent.

When two males meet,

the stage is set for battle.

the stage is set for battle.

The male's "antlers" are actually part of its jaw.

But like the deer they take their name from,

But like the deer they take their name from,

they use them as weapons.

The aim is to throw their rival on his back...

The aim is to throw their rival on his back...

...or right out of the tree.

The winner's prize is to mate with the female.

The winner's prize is to mate with the female.

A male stag beetle is enormously strong for its size,

able to lift 100 times its own weight.

able to lift 100 times its own weight.

Its jaws exert huge force;

a bite can kill its rival.

a bite can kill its rival.

This loser is lucky, he survives the fall.

The winner wastes no time claiming his prize.

The winner wastes no time claiming his prize.

The pairing is business-like.

Like her mother before her,

the female will lay her eggs

the female will lay her eggs

amid the rotting roots of a dead tree...

...food for her larvae when they hatch.

...food for her larvae when they hatch.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

(Birds sing)

NARRATOR: Nourished on the sap of growing trees,

NARRATOR: Nourished on the sap of growing trees,

the hornet colony expands.

Dozens of workers now bring not only food,

Dozens of workers now bring not only food,

but also decaying wood,

bitten off with their sharp jaws.

Mixed with saliva and thoroughly chewed,

the wood pulp is the bricks and mortar for the growing nest.

the wood pulp is the bricks and mortar for the growing nest.

These intricate castles can reach

as much as 20 inches high.

The workers constantly add new floors and chambers.

The workers constantly add new floors and chambers.

When it's finally ready, this year's new queen

When it's finally ready, this year's new queen

can fulfill her primary role...

...to fill the cells with her eggs.

Laying is hungry work,

so the workers regurgitate the food

they have gathered to feed their queen.

they have gathered to feed their queen.

It's all to ensure their colony grows and thrives...

It's all to ensure their colony grows and thrives...

...becoming a hornet nation for one brief summer.

...becoming a hornet nation for one brief summer.

(Hornet buzzes)

(Hornet buzzes)

NARRATOR: Color and life is everywhere now...

NARRATOR: Color and life is everywhere now...

...providing a sumptuous feast for the baby earwigs

that forage above ground.

that forage above ground.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR: Ladybugs hunt for...

...ladybug love.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR: And the Red Admirals are back,

NARRATOR: And the Red Admirals are back,

not the ones who migrated south before the winter,

not the ones who migrated south before the winter,

but a new generation,

hatched in southern Europe,

and now back in the north for the summer.

and now back in the north for the summer.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR: Buzzing and humming fills the air.

NARRATOR: Buzzing and humming fills the air.

A time to feed...

...to breed...

...and to prepare...

...and to prepare...

...for the next winter to come.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)