All language subtitles for Macro.Worlds.S01E03.1080p.WEB-DL.AAC2.0.H.264-squalor

NARRATOR:
The beetle...

...undisputed master

...undisputed master

of the insect world,

accounting for every fourth
animal species on the planet.

accounting for every fourth
animal species on the planet.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
Beetles are the world's
fastest insects,

and among its
most ruthless hunters.

Some wield chemical weapons.

Some wield chemical weapons.

Others evade danger
with extraordinary acrobatics.

Others evade danger
with extraordinary acrobatics.

How did the humble beetle

achieve such
astonishing success?

achieve such
astonishing success?

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
Springtime
in southern Germany...

NARRATOR:
Springtime
in southern Germany...

Deep in a forest,

a giant among beetles
emerges from underground.

a giant among beetles
emerges from underground.

It's a bit of a freak in
the world of European beetles.

It's a bit of a freak in
the world of European beetles.

Reaching more than
3 inches long,

it's Europe's biggest and
most extraordinary beetle...

it's Europe's biggest and
most extraordinary beetle...

...the stag beetle.

The male has huge jaws
resembling antlers,

The male has huge jaws
resembling antlers,

which give the species its name.

An enticing scent

lures the newly emerged male

up off the forest floor.

up off the forest floor.

It's the scent
of fermenting tree sap,

and he heads straight
for the trunk of an oak tree

in search of this sugary fluid.

in search of this sugary fluid.

This is his primary
source of food;

with his extremely
deformed jaws,

he can't eat anything
but liquid.

he can't eat anything
but liquid.

The females are
half the size of the males,

The females are
half the size of the males,

and don't sport
any elaborate head gear.

Like the males,
they live for no more

Like the males,
they live for no more

than 8 weeks.

Their short, adult lives

are dedicated to one goal only:
reproducing.

are dedicated to one goal only:
reproducing.

But, attracted by
this female's pheromones,

two males have appeared
on the stage.

two males have appeared
on the stage.

The males' antlers have evolved
for one purpose only...

The males' antlers have evolved
for one purpose only...

...to fight.

The right to procreate
has to be won in battle.

The right to procreate
has to be won in battle.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
If one of them
is clearly outgunned,

the loser withdraws
within seconds.

the loser withdraws
within seconds.

But these two
are roughly the same size;

their fight
could last for minutes.

their fight
could last for minutes.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
But it's not a fight
to the death;

the goal here is to throw
your opponent out of the ring.

the goal here is to throw
your opponent out of the ring.

As with all beetles,

their exoskeleton acts as armor,

their exoskeleton acts as armor,

and serious injuries are rare.

The winner hurries
to claim his prize.

Over the course of the summer,

this male will fight
more battles

and mate with up to
eight different females.

and mate with up to
eight different females.

Mating among stag beetles
takes time,

and can last up to 10 minutes.

and can last up to 10 minutes.

His enormous jaws
help to herd the females

His enormous jaws
help to herd the females

into the right position.

Immediately after mating,

they go their separate ways.

The impregnated female will
disappear into the forest alone

The impregnated female will
disappear into the forest alone

to bury about
20 eggs underground.

to bury about
20 eggs underground.

Shortly thereafter,
she will die.

Beetles can look
bizarre and clumsy,

but they're among the oldest

but they're among the oldest

and most successful
creatures on earth.

Modern day beetles evolved
during the Triassic period,

Modern day beetles evolved
during the Triassic period,

more than 240 million years ago.

more than 240 million years ago.

Amber, which is
fossilized tree resin,

acts like a time capsule,

acts like a time capsule,

perfectly preserving
ancient beetles,

which were trapped
in the honey-colored resin

which were trapped
in the honey-colored resin

hundreds of millions
of years ago.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
Many beetle species have
hardly changed over that time,

NARRATOR:
Many beetle species have
hardly changed over that time,

which is remarkable...

...because when beetles
first emerged,

...because when beetles
first emerged,

the world was
a very different place.

There was only one single
contiguous continent, Pangea,

and the climate was far hotter

and the climate was far hotter

and drier than it is today.

Flowering plants
had yet to evolve,

so a single color dominated
all plant life...

so a single color dominated
all plant life...

...green.

Massive horsetail trees and
giant ferns covered the land.

Massive horsetail trees and
giant ferns covered the land.

There are still a few remnants
from this long-past time.

There are still a few remnants
from this long-past time.

The ginkgo tree is
a living fossil from that era.

The ginkgo tree is
a living fossil from that era.

Since then,
super volcano eruptions,

asteroid impacts, and
other natural cataclysms

asteroid impacts, and
other natural cataclysms

have devastated life
on the planet more than once.

have devastated life
on the planet more than once.

But beetles have defied
every disaster.

And they didn't just survive,

And they didn't just survive,

they thrived
and went on to conquer

almost every habitat on Earth.

almost every habitat on Earth.

The success of beetles

has fascinated biologists
for centuries.

Their collections capture the
incredible diversity of beetles,

Their collections capture the
incredible diversity of beetles,

the largest order
of all animals.

the largest order
of all animals.

Nevertheless,

beetles don't necessarily look
like evolutionary winners,

so what made such an awkward
looking creature so successful?

so what made such an awkward
looking creature so successful?

The cockchafer, or May bug,
holds the clue.

It's like an early
beetle prototype.

It's like an early
beetle prototype.

Its body is more compact
than most other insects,

with a simple
yet strong anatomy.

with a simple
yet strong anatomy.

The greatest asset is
the shield covering the body,

which is fused with the back

which is fused with the back

and extends under
the hardened front cover.

It's a tough, rigid design

It's a tough, rigid design

that protects
the May bug's inner organs.

Its suit of armor
might make him ponderous,

Its suit of armor
might make him ponderous,

but it turns the May bug
into a mini tank...

...a tank, that can fly.

...a tank, that can fly.

Hard-shelled outer wings,
called elytra,

unfold first.

unfold first.

They protect a flexible
second set of inner wings.

After take-off,

the stiff forewings
generate lift,

helping the May bug
to stay airborne,

helping the May bug
to stay airborne,

while the flexible back wings
act like propellers.

Thanks to its armor,

an occasional crash
- even from a great height -

an occasional crash
- even from a great height -

doesn't do any lasting damage.

The May bug simply
folds up its wings,

looks for another suitable
launch pad, and tries again.

looks for another suitable
launch pad, and tries again.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
The evolution of the
simple-yet-tough beetle body

opened up a host
of opportunities,

opened up a host
of opportunities,

and beetles were quick
to take advantage

of any new ecological niche
that emerged.

of any new ecological niche
that emerged.

They diversified rapidly,

colonizing new habitats and
exploiting unique food sources.

colonizing new habitats and
exploiting unique food sources.

Today, beetles are
the undisputed leaders

Today, beetles are
the undisputed leaders

of the animal kingdom,

constituting almost a quarter
of all known animal species.

constituting almost a quarter
of all known animal species.

About 380,000 species
have been described to date,

About 380,000 species
have been described to date,

with hundreds of new ones
discovered every year.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
Their diversity of color
and form is so impressive,

NARRATOR:
Their diversity of color
and form is so impressive,

it led Scottish
evolutionary biologist

John Haldane to declare,

John Haldane to declare,

"God seems to have a special
fondness for beetles.

They must surely be
'God's Darlings'."

They must surely be
'God's Darlings'."

Their triumph began on land.

And for about a fifth of all
European beetles, that means...

And for about a fifth of all
European beetles, that means...

...trees.

One of them is a particularly
eye-catching specimen...

One of them is a particularly
eye-catching specimen...

...the great capricorn beetle.

Its antennae are twice
the length of its body,

Its antennae are twice
the length of its body,

though scientists
don't know why.

The great capricorn beetle

selects one big healthy oak tree
as its residence,

selects one big healthy oak tree
as its residence,

and stays on it for life.

Like the stag beetle,

it feeds on the tree's sap.

it feeds on the tree's sap.

Its offspring
live under the bark,

feeding on the wood of the tree,

feeding on the wood of the tree,

for up to five years.

Trees are the preferred habitat
for many beetle species.

In an undisturbed
European forest,

In an undisturbed
European forest,

a single oak tree can be home
to up to 650 beetle species.

a single oak tree can be home
to up to 650 beetle species.

Beetles have conquered virtually
every corner of the world.

Beetles have conquered virtually
every corner of the world.

They call alpine regions
their home,

They call alpine regions
their home,

as well as dry deserts.

But they don't limit themselves
to living on land.

But they don't limit themselves
to living on land.

They have also conquered
the water world.

There are more than 3,000 known
species of aquatic beetles,

There are more than 3,000 known
species of aquatic beetles,

among them
the great diving beetle,

which lives in ponds and lakes

which lives in ponds and lakes

throughout
the northern hemisphere.

Besides a streamlined body,

Besides a streamlined body,

its most obvious adaptation
to underwater life

is a pair of feathered rear legs

that have evolved into oars and
help it maneuver under water.

that have evolved into oars and
help it maneuver under water.

But without gills,

the great diving beetle
cannot breathe water,

the great diving beetle
cannot breathe water,

and periodically
has to come up to the surface

in order to take in air.

It traps the air
beneath its wing case,

which it uses like a scuba tank.

which it uses like a scuba tank.

This bubble of air
allows it to stay submerged

for about 30 minutes.

for about 30 minutes.

Like an underwater wolf,

it hunts sick
and weak water dwellers,

it hunts sick
and weak water dwellers,

and also eats carrion.

and also eats carrion.

It has short
but sharp mandibles...

It has short
but sharp mandibles...

...and can inject
digestive enzymes into its prey.

...and can inject
digestive enzymes into its prey.

This monstrous looking creature

This monstrous looking creature

is the larval form
of the great diving beetle.

It's a fast, agile swimmer

It's a fast, agile swimmer

and also a voracious
underwater hunter,

but, like the adults,

it must return
to the surface to breathe.

it must return
to the surface to breathe.

In the spring,

In the spring,

its main food source

is tadpoles.

However, after millions
of years of success,

these beetles are struggling.

these beetles are struggling.

Dwindling amphibian populations
in Central Europe

make life harder for
the great diving beetles.

make life harder for
the great diving beetles.

With food
in ever-shorter supply,

who knows how long
they will survive.

who knows how long
they will survive.

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
While some beetles
have evolved to become aquatic,

NARRATOR:
While some beetles
have evolved to become aquatic,

others can tolerate
the opposite extreme...

...arid, desert habitats,

...arid, desert habitats,

where the sand can reach

120 degrees Fahrenheit
during the day.

Here, tiger beetles flit
from shadow to shadow.

Here, tiger beetles flit
from shadow to shadow.

The fastest can reach speeds
of up to

five and a half miles per hour,

covering 120 times the length
of its body in a single second.

covering 120 times the length
of its body in a single second.

If a sprinter wanted
to match the beetle,

If a sprinter wanted
to match the beetle,

they'd have to run

at 480 miles per hour.

The tiger beetle has sharp eyes

to spot the insects
on which it preys.

to spot the insects
on which it preys.

But its incredible speed
means the beetle

often can't see its prey
while it's in motion.

often can't see its prey
while it's in motion.

To get a fix on its victim,

it must first come to a stop.

it must first come to a stop.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
The word "beetle" comes from
the Old English word "bitula,"

NARRATOR:
The word "beetle" comes from
the Old English word "bitula,"

meaning "little biter."

meaning "little biter."

Looking at this beetle,

it becomes clear
why they earned this name.

When hunting, the tiger beetle
is always on the move.

When hunting, the tiger beetle
is always on the move.

Its larva, on the other hand,

Its larva, on the other hand,

has a completely
different strategy.

It lurks in a burrow
dug in the sand,

It lurks in a burrow
dug in the sand,

hiding from unsuspecting prey...

...ready to strike at anything
that ventures too close.

...ready to strike at anything
that ventures too close.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
Only if they've eaten recently

do they withdraw
into their burrows

do they withdraw
into their burrows

and pose no threat
to any passerby.

But, if they are hungry,

they are ready to strike
with incredible speed.

they are ready to strike
with incredible speed.

This ant is lucky;

the larva misjudged its strike

the larva misjudged its strike

and unintentionally
propelled it into safety.

But usually the larvae succeed
in snatching their victims

But usually the larvae succeed
in snatching their victims

from the surface and dragging
them into their lairs...

from the surface and dragging
them into their lairs...

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
...where they kill them

NARRATOR:
...where they kill them

with their powerful mandibles

and suck them dry.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
Over millions of years,

NARRATOR:
Over millions of years,

the animal kingdom has produced
a huge variety of predators,

and beetles have
their fair share of hunters.

and beetles have
their fair share of hunters.

One of them
is easily recognizable...

One of them
is easily recognizable...

...the seven-spot
European ladybug.

It can eat
up to 50 aphids a day.

It can eat
up to 50 aphids a day.

In the Middle Ages,
it was thought the little bug

was on a mission from
"Our Lady," the Virgin Mary,

was on a mission from
"Our Lady," the Virgin Mary,

to destroy pests
that plagued the farmer's crops.

Hence the name...

Hence the name...

...ladybug.

Despite their chaste namesake,

adult ladybugs pursue
only two activities:

adult ladybugs pursue
only two activities:

hunting and procreating.

hunting and procreating.

There are more than 6,000
different ladybug species

There are more than 6,000
different ladybug species

around the world.

The Asian ladybug
is a close relative,

The Asian ladybug
is a close relative,

distinguished by the white and
black shield behind its head.

It's an even
more proficient hunter.

It's an even
more proficient hunter.

It can chomp through up to
250 aphids in a single day.

It can chomp through up to
250 aphids in a single day.

Such killing efficiency led
to it being exported from Asia

Such killing efficiency led
to it being exported from Asia

to Europe and North America

as a biological pest control
in the 1990s.

as a biological pest control
in the 1990s.

Unfortunately,
the Asian ladybug turned out

to be a hyper-efficient
breeder as well,

to be a hyper-efficient
breeder as well,

producing up to 3,500
offspring a year...

...eight times more
than its European cousin.

With no natural predators,

its population has skyrocketed.

its population has skyrocketed.

Both species usually
coexist peacefully,

but, if the aphid
population falls,

but, if the aphid
population falls,

the larvae of the Asian Ladybug
often satisfies

its voracious appetite
a little closer to home.

its voracious appetite
a little closer to home.

It turns cannibalistic

and eats the eggs and larvae
of its European cousin.

and eats the eggs and larvae
of its European cousin.

Only a few decades after
its introduction from Asia,

it's become a pest itself,

it's become a pest itself,

though in evolutionary terms,

it's simply fitter
than the native species.

it's simply fitter
than the native species.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
Beetles are world champions in
exploiting every food resource

NARRATOR:
Beetles are world champions in
exploiting every food resource

and using every
environmental niche available.

and using every
environmental niche available.

The floor of a temperate forest
is a very diverse ecosystem,

filled with life
and possibilities.

filled with life
and possibilities.

One family of beetles
has adapted to it completely.

One family of beetles
has adapted to it completely.

In the course of evolution,

the Golden Ground Beetle

has lost its ability to fly.

has lost its ability to fly.

But, while its locomotion
is limited,

its diet is broad.

It lives on fungi and carrion
and even small animals...

It lives on fungi and carrion
and even small animals...

...like snails.

...like snails.

Snails make a highly nutritious
- albeit slimy - meal,

Snails make a highly nutritious
- albeit slimy - meal,

but first you have to get
past that shell.

The snail is too slow
to escape most predators,

The snail is too slow
to escape most predators,

but it has a secret weapon....

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
...it secretes a thick,
foul-tasting mucus.

To reach the snail's flesh,

the Golden Ground Beetle

must try to fight its way

must try to fight its way

through the goop.

The mucus soon covers
its face and clogs its mouth,

The mucus soon covers
its face and clogs its mouth,

making attack
a rather sticky situation.

It's enough to deter
this predator.

It's enough to deter
this predator.

The beetle gives up and resorts
to cleaning itself up instead.

The beetle gives up and resorts
to cleaning itself up instead.

A clogged mouth is bad enough...

...but the antennae

are the most important

sensory organs for beetles.

sensory organs for beetles.

It must clean them before
the mucus dries and hardens,

otherwise it will lose
its ability to smell,

otherwise it will lose
its ability to smell,

and that would
be a death sentence.

and that would
be a death sentence.

The snail lives
to fight another day...

The snail lives
to fight another day...

...but not for long.

This beetle,

the Black Snail Hunter,

could be seen as
the snail's arch nemesis.

could be seen as
the snail's arch nemesis.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
The slime trick is useless
against this predator.

Its jaws are lined
with brushes,

Its jaws are lined
with brushes,

perfectly adapted to deal
with the sticky mess...

perfectly adapted to deal
with the sticky mess...

...and it seems
to like the taste.

Once the beetle has finished
its slimy hors d'oeuvres,

Once the beetle has finished
its slimy hors d'oeuvres,

it will crawl into
the shell for the entrée.

it will crawl into
the shell for the entrée.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
Beetles might be
the most successful insects,

NARRATOR:
Beetles might be
the most successful insects,

but they're not invincible.

In a split second,

In a split second,

hunters can become the hunted.

Beetles are readily available
and highly nutritious.

Beetles are readily available
and highly nutritious.

They're an important
food source for many animals,

They're an important
food source for many animals,

such as
the Great spotted woodpecker.

Like many animals,

it preys on both the beetles
and their larvae.

it preys on both the beetles
and their larvae.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
While forests may present

a wealth of food sources
for beetles,

a wealth of food sources
for beetles,

they also present
a wealth of enemies.

To survive,
beetles have developed

a diversity of strategies.

Flying is usually
the safest option.

Flying is usually
the safest option.

But for a small creature
like a beetle,

hiding is a natural alternative.

hiding is a natural alternative.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
But one beetle has developed

a very extraordinary trick
to escape predators,

a very extraordinary trick
to escape predators,

even when they fall
directly into harm's way.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
A beetle on its back
is a quintessential victim,

NARRATOR:
A beetle on its back
is a quintessential victim,

utterly helpless...

...or so it seems.

Without the help
of legs or wings,

the click beetle
can fly into the air,

the click beetle
can fly into the air,

as if shot from a catapult.

It stores energy

in a special spring mechanism
inside its body.

When released,

When released,

it launches the beetle skyward.

This stunning trick
allows it to hurl itself

up to twenty times
its own body length...

up to twenty times
its own body length...

...and out of immediate danger.

Nature has had almost
240 million years

Nature has had almost
240 million years

to work on
beetles' defense strategies,

and it's come up
with a real zinger.

and it's come up
with a real zinger.

For a convincing deterrent,

there's perhaps no better
example of nature's ingenuity

there's perhaps no better
example of nature's ingenuity

than the Bombardier beetle.

than the Bombardier beetle.

These little things
might look harmless,

but they should be
approached with caution.

A colony of ants
needs huge amounts of protein,

usually covered by preying
on small spiders or insects.

usually covered by preying
on small spiders or insects.

A beetle of less than
half an inch

is usually overwhelmed
with ease...

is usually overwhelmed
with ease...

...but not the Bombardier.

When attacked,
it emits a corrosive, hot gas,

When attacked,
it emits a corrosive, hot gas,

up to 210 degrees Fahrenheit.

The gas may not
kill the attacker,

The gas may not
kill the attacker,

but it certainly drives it away.

It's not intended that way,

It's not intended that way,

but it gives the ant
an opportunity to learn...

...and adapt.

It won't make
the same mistake again.

But such weapons
don't always win the day.

But such weapons
don't always win the day.

Against a predator
the size of a toad...

Against a predator
the size of a toad...

...even the Bombardier
is helpless.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
Nature has equipped beetles

NARRATOR:
Nature has equipped beetles

with a whole arsenal
of chemicals:

some for defense,

some for digesting food,

some for digesting food,

and others for reproduction.

This beetle uses a chemical
reaction to lure in its lovers.

This beetle uses a chemical
reaction to lure in its lovers.

Lacking wings and with
multiple body segments,

Lacking wings and with
multiple body segments,

this female firefly,

or lightning bug,

looks more like a centipede

looks more like a centipede

than a beetle.

But luckily for her,

it's not her appearance

that will attract a mate.

that will attract a mate.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
On warm summer evenings,

NARRATOR:
On warm summer evenings,

when the sun sets,

fireflies show off

their chemical attractant.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
Fireflies have
a special light organ

located in the lower abdomen.

located in the lower abdomen.

The glow it emits has
a single purpose...

...sex.

...sex.

As night falls, the males swarm
in the air and light it up.

As night falls, the males swarm
in the air and light it up.

Waiting on the ground,

the females respond
with their own sexual glow.

the females respond
with their own sexual glow.

The light is energy released

by a complicated
biochemical reaction.

But instead of dispelling
most of this energy as heat,

But instead of dispelling
most of this energy as heat,

the fireflies turn
95% of it into light.

the fireflies turn
95% of it into light.

This also ensures
they don't get burned.

(birds sing)

NARRATOR:
By day, the male reveals itself

to be small
and rather unimpressive,

to be small
and rather unimpressive,

although, unlike the female,

he at least looks
more like a beetle.

During their brief adult
life of only a few days,

During their brief adult
life of only a few days,

fireflies never eat;
they're too busy procreating.

fireflies never eat;
they're too busy procreating.

The male isn't much more than
a vessel of semen on six legs.

The female,
a tube filled with eggs.

Mating takes place
on the ground.

Once it's finished,

Once it's finished,

the partners separate for good.

The male has fulfilled
his only goal in life

The male has fulfilled
his only goal in life

and will die in about 10 days.

The female turns off
her light forever

The female turns off
her light forever

and goes looking
for a place to lay her eggs.

and goes looking
for a place to lay her eggs.

Once that task is complete,

she too will die.

she too will die.

A few weeks later,

larvae will emerge
from the eggs...

larvae will emerge
from the eggs...

...but it will take three years
for them to reach maturity

and join the magical light show
that illuminates summer nights.

and join the magical light show
that illuminates summer nights.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
Beetles' reproductive behaviors

are as varied and complex
as their diets...

are as varied and complex
as their diets...

...another reason
they're so successful.

140 million years ago,

140 million years ago,

the emergence of
the first flowering plants

offered creatures on land
brand new food sources.

offered creatures on land
brand new food sources.

It triggered an explosion
in new beetle species.

As beetles developed a taste
for nectar and pollen,

As beetles developed a taste
for nectar and pollen,

they also pollinated the plants,

playing a crucial role
in their evolution.

playing a crucial role
in their evolution.

Grazing animals
like sheep and goats

actually open up vegetation
close to the ground,

actually open up vegetation
close to the ground,

allowing wildflowers to grow.

This Dorbeetle follows
grazing herbivores around...

This Dorbeetle follows
grazing herbivores around...

...but it isn't interested
in nectar or pollen.

And it also doesn't prey
on other insects.

And it also doesn't prey
on other insects.

It's interested
in just one thing...

It's interested
in just one thing...

...poop.

There's nothing like the smell
of fresh dung to a Dorbeetle.

There's nothing like the smell
of fresh dung to a Dorbeetle.

And thanks to its
keen sense of smell,

Dorbeetles find fresh
dung within minutes.

Dorbeetles find fresh
dung within minutes.

The fresher the dung,

The fresher the dung,

the more beetles
will come to the feast.

There are about 7,000 species
of dung beetle around the world.

There are about 7,000 species
of dung beetle around the world.

To them, manure is
a nutrient-rich food source,

To them, manure is
a nutrient-rich food source,

for themselves,
as well as their offspring.

But putting your offspring
in a heap of dung

with many other beetles

with many other beetles

means they'll have
a lot of competition.

Some dung beetle species
have solved this problem

in a very peculiar way.

The Sisyphus dung beetle has
short, powerful front legs,

The Sisyphus dung beetle has
short, powerful front legs,

that function like
a pair of carving knives

to divide the manure.

Its hind legs, however,
have adapted

to a completely
different task...

to a completely
different task...

...it uses them to roll a ball
of manure away backwards.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
Immensely powerful for its size,

the Sisyphus dung beetle
can maneuver dung balls

the Sisyphus dung beetle
can maneuver dung balls

up to ten times its own weight,

over rough and steep terrain.

over rough and steep terrain.

It pushes and pulls its cargo
almost 30 feet

It pushes and pulls its cargo
almost 30 feet

to its burrow,

an epic distance for a creature

about half an inch long.

about half an inch long.

Even when it runs into
what seems to be a dead end...

Even when it runs into
what seems to be a dead end...

...it doesn't give up.

That's how it earned
its Latin name, Sisyphus,

That's how it earned
its Latin name, Sisyphus,

after the Greek hero who was
charged with the impossible task

after the Greek hero who was
charged with the impossible task

of pushing
an immense boulder up a hill,

only to watch it
repeatedly roll back down.

only to watch it
repeatedly roll back down.

But in this case,
help arrives just in time.

But in this case,
help arrives just in time.

Mating pairs of
Sisyphus beetles cooperate

to bring home the daily dung.

to bring home the daily dung.

Spreading dung over
large areas and underground

provides another
crucial service...

provides another
crucial service...

...fertilizing the soil.

Without dung-eating beetles,

Without dung-eating beetles,

the land would eventually
suffocate under animal waste.

Home at last,

the Sisyphus dung beetle

stores the precious dung
in its underground pantry,

stores the precious dung
in its underground pantry,

ensuring that the next
generation of beetles

will grow up well-nourished.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
Many beetle species perform
essential tasks to the ecosystem

and, while the Sisyphus beetle
seems like

and, while the Sisyphus beetle
seems like

it's taken waste treatment
to the extreme,

there may be
an even more extreme case.

there may be
an even more extreme case.

(birds sing)

(birds sing)

NARRATOR:
One beetle species in
European forests performs a task

NARRATOR:
One beetle species in
European forests performs a task

just as essential,
though far more grisly.

just as essential,
though far more grisly.

Dung is only
one kind of animal remains

that needs
to be dealt with in nature.

that needs
to be dealt with in nature.

A dead yellow-necked mouse
lies on the forest floor...

A dead yellow-necked mouse
lies on the forest floor...

...an easy meal for
many potential scavengers.

...an easy meal for
many potential scavengers.

It's a race between flies,

foxes, badgers,

and something else...

and something else...

A spooky spectacle begins.

As if by magic,

the dead mouse begins to move.

Something is stirring.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
Little by little,

the mouse is sucked
into the soil.

the mouse is sucked
into the soil.

Up to 6 hours later,
it will vanish completely.

Up to 6 hours later,
it will vanish completely.

The burying beetle is nature's
undertaker and embalmer.

The burying beetle is nature's
undertaker and embalmer.

Preserving the body
with antibacterial saliva,

it buries the carcasses
of small mammals and birds

it buries the carcasses
of small mammals and birds

to use as food for its larvae.

This tiny beetle
can bury an animal

This tiny beetle
can bury an animal

150 times its own size,

digging a hole
beneath the corpse

digging a hole
beneath the corpse

so that it gradually
sinks into the ground.

But the mouse
isn't a meal for himself.

But the mouse
isn't a meal for himself.

It's an engagement present
for his future mate.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
He stops to excrete pheromones

to attract a female
to lay eggs in the mouse's body.

to attract a female
to lay eggs in the mouse's body.

He then finishes the burial,

keeping the carcass
safe from carrion flies,

keeping the carcass
safe from carrion flies,

whose maggots
would devour the flesh.

Once the burial is complete,

Once the burial is complete,

the burying beetle
will strip the mouse's fur

and form a "meat ball"
for his offspring.

and form a "meat ball"
for his offspring.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
If a female doesn't respond
to his pheromones,

the beetle's efforts
will have been in vain.

the beetle's efforts
will have been in vain.

The sole purpose
of burying the mouse

is to provide food
for their larvae.

is to provide food
for their larvae.

Adult beetles feed
mainly on other insects,

Adult beetles feed
mainly on other insects,

so if he gets no female callers,
he will abandon his prize.

This extraordinary behavior
is an example

of how beetles have evolved

of how beetles have evolved

to exploit every conceivable
food source nature can offer.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

NARRATOR:
Adaptability is a great part
of the beetles' success,

NARRATOR:
Adaptability is a great part
of the beetles' success,

but one of its greatest secrets
is often hidden from the world.

Every beetle begins its life
as a larva,

and many beetles spend
most of their lives,

sometimes years,

as larvae, often living
in underground chambers

as larvae, often living
in underground chambers

or in damp, decaying wood.

What may only look
like a plump maggot

is actually part
of a very successful

evolutionary strategy.

evolutionary strategy.

Beetle larvae are typically
fat "eating machines."

Beetle larvae are typically
fat "eating machines."

As they grow,
they shed their skin

several times before eventually
emerging as adult beetles.

several times before eventually
emerging as adult beetles.

Before they can do that,
however,

Before they can do that,
however,

they must undergo one of
the most fascinating processes

in nature...

...metamorphosis.

...metamorphosis.

The larva wriggles
as it transforms

into an immobile pupa...

into an immobile pupa...

...as rigid as a mummy
in its underground chamber.

...as rigid as a mummy
in its underground chamber.

This larva
of a male stag beetle

has spent around eight years
in its underground nursery,

has spent around eight years
in its underground nursery,

before entering metamorphosis
in the fall.

Over the course of two months,

the pupa undergoes a full
reconstruction of its body.

In the spring,

In the spring,

it finally sheds its corset...

...to emerge as an adult.

...to emerge as an adult.

Adult beetles
often don't eat at all

and only live
for a very short time.

They're often little more
than sexual organs with wings,

They're often little more
than sexual organs with wings,

with only one role in life...

with only one role in life...

...to procreate.

With the larvae
hiding underground,

and the adults free to fly,

the two life stages
of many beetles

live in completely
different worlds,

and don't compete
with one another.

and don't compete
with one another.

It's a powerful
evolutionary strategy.

It's a powerful
evolutionary strategy.

Many other beetles have
a slightly different approach...

Many other beetles have
a slightly different approach...

...a single ladybug can produce
up to 80,000 offspring per year.

...a single ladybug can produce
up to 80,000 offspring per year.

Even if they compete
with their offspring,

some are bound to survive.

some are bound to survive.

It's a numbers game,

another effective
evolutionary strategy.

another effective
evolutionary strategy.

Beetles have changed and adapted

into an impressive
diversity of species.

Their tough outer casing
enabled them to conquer

Their tough outer casing
enabled them to conquer

a huge variety of habitats
all over the globe...

a huge variety of habitats
all over the globe...

on land...

in the air...

...and underwater.

And along the way,
they have evolved

And along the way,
they have evolved

to eat almost
any organic food...

They hunt...

They hunt...

they gather...

...and they clean up the mess
that others leave behind.

...and they clean up the mess
that others leave behind.

Diversity is
the name of the game...

Diversity is
the name of the game...

...the secret
to beetles' success.

Beetles are the most successful
animals in the world.

There are eight times
as many beetle species

There are eight times
as many beetle species

as there are fish,
amphibian, reptile,

as there are fish,
amphibian, reptile,

bird, and mammal species
put together.

Beetles have survived
every mass extinction

over the last 240 million years.

over the last 240 million years.

They have endured
global warming, ice ages,

super volcano eruptions,

super volcano eruptions,

and asteroid strikes

that wiped out animals
like the dinosaurs.

that wiped out animals
like the dinosaurs.

Yet like all insect populations
in the industrialized world,

Yet like all insect populations
in the industrialized world,

their numbers are dwindling.

Let's hope the beetles
will survive

Let's hope the beetles
will survive

the next global cataclysm.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)