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Beetlemania

Season 1 Episode 4

Beetles are the world’s most diverse and abundant species, and they serve critical ecological roles in almost every environment. "Beetle Mania" explores why these colorful and clever creatures have been called “the most important animal on Earth.”

Aired: 05/27/25
Extras
Ummat Somjee goes to Thailand to observe the cultural tradition of fighting beetles.
On the plains of South Africa, an army of dung beetles recycle the dung of large mammals.
Dragonfly expert Jessica Ware heads to Guyuna to sample dragonfly diversity.
Gavin Svenson heads to the Brazilian rainforest to sample the diversity of mantises.
Jesse Barber and Akito Kawahara study the evolutionary arms race between bats and moths.
Monarch butterflies winter in the fir forests of Michoacan, Mexico, after an epic migration.
A four-part investigation into insect declines, exploring their diversity and ecological importance.
Urban Ecologist Sylvana Ross visits Baltimore, Maryland, to find Tapinoma Sessile.
Evolutionary Biologist Ummat Somjee describes his research on Flag-footed bugs in Panamá.
Praying mantises and aquatic insects reveal cunning physical adaptations for ruthless survival.
Pollinators – bees, moths and butterflies – bring color to the world and put food on our plates.
Could a world without insects survive? Scientists investigate the global insect “apocalypse.”