Link to Life in the undergrowth: 2- Talking to the air documentary
Documentary Description
The next programme deals with flying insects. It begins in Central
Europe, where the Körös River plays host to millions of giant mayflies
as they rise from their larval skins to mate. — the climax of their
lives. Mayflies and dragonflies were among the first to take to the air
about 320 million years ago, and fossils reveal that some were similar
in size to a seagull. Damselflies are also looked at in detail. One
species, the rare cascade damsel, inhabits waterfalls, while another,
the helicopter damsel, lives away from water (unlike all the others in
its group) and is also the biggest. Several types of butterfly are
shown, but all have common habits, and Attenborough describes their
physiology. Together with moths, they possess the largest wings, and
this surface area gives ample opportunity to display for partners or
warn off predators. In cold weather, bumblebees must warm themselves to
prepare for flight: they 'disable' their wings, enabling them to
exercise their muscles without taking off. The vestigial rear wings of
flies and crane flies are used for navigation, and arguably the most
accomplished insect aviator is the hoverfly, which makes continuous
adjustments while in the air to remain stationary. Beetles that are
capable of flight have to keep their wings below covers, and a specimen
of the largest, the titan beetle, is shown. Attenborough attempts to
entice a male cicada, only to have it land on his ear (causing laughter
from the camera team.)
