Original subtitles

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.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)