A Bug's Life

Explore how big-headed ants have changed an entire ecosystem in Kenya, from its insects and plants to its biggest predators. -- In the early 2000s, one of the world’s most widespread invasive species landed in Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau: big-headed ants. They expanded rapidly into super-colonies, preying on other insects, spiders, and even small birds. Their presence has wreaked havoc on the ecosystem and significantly changed the landscape. So, how did these tiny creatures have such a huge impact? Cella Wright investigates. Lesson by Cella Wright, directed by Steve West, Lazy Chief. Support Our Non-Profit Mission ---------------------------------------------- Support us on Patreon: Check out our merch: ---------------------------------------------- Connect With Us ---------------------------------------------- Sign up for our newsletter: Follow us on Facebook: Find us on Twitter: Peep us on Instagram: ---------------------------------------------- Keep Learning -------------------------

Explore how big-headed ants have changed an entire ecosystem in Kenya, from its insects and plants to its biggest predators. -- In the early 2000s, one of the world’s most widespread invasive species landed in Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau: big-headed ants. They expanded rapidly into super-colonies, preying on other insects, spiders, and even small birds. Their presence has wreaked havoc on the ecosystem and significantly changed the landscape. So, how did these tiny creatures have such a huge impact? Cella Wright investigates. Lesson by Cella Wright, directed by Steve West, Lazy Chief. Support Our Non-Profit Mission ---------------------------------------------- Support us on Patreon: Check out our merch: ---------------------------------------------- Connect With Us ---------------------------------------------- Sign up for our newsletter: Follow us on Facebook: Find us on Twitter: Peep us on Instagram: ---------------------------------------------- Keep Learning -------------------------

Dig into the science of how and why fireflies glow, and how their bioluminescent signals differ between males and females. -- The first firefly is thought to have lived over 100 million years ago, illuminating the night with a glowing green light. And today, there are around 2,000 firefly species, found all over the world, from forests and grasslands to marshes and deserts. So, why do these insects glow? Emily A. Geest digs into the bioluminescent signals of fireflies. Lesson by Emily A. Geest, directed by Lou Morton. Support Our Non-Profit Mission ---------------------------------------------- Support us on Patreon: Check out our merch: ---------------------------------------------- Connect With Us ---------------------------------------------- Sign up for our newsletter: Follow us on Facebook: Find us on Twitter: Peep us on Instagram: ---------------------------------------------- Keep Learning ---------------------------------------------- View full lesson: Dig deeper with additiona

Dig into the science of how and why fireflies glow, and how their bioluminescent signals differ between males and females. -- The first firefly is thought to have lived over 100 million years ago, illuminating the night with a glowing green light. And today, there are around 2,000 firefly species, found all over the world, from forests and grasslands to marshes and deserts. So, why do these insects glow? Emily A. Geest digs into the bioluminescent signals of fireflies. Lesson by Emily A. Geest, directed by Lou Morton. Support Our Non-Profit Mission ---------------------------------------------- Support us on Patreon: Check out our merch: ---------------------------------------------- Connect With Us ---------------------------------------------- Sign up for our newsletter: Follow us on Facebook: Find us on Twitter: Peep us on Instagram: ---------------------------------------------- Keep Learning ---------------------------------------------- View full lesson: Dig deeper with additiona

Dig into how bed bugs establish a colony in your home, and find out what makes it so hard to prevent these itchy invasions. -- Bed bugs have tormented humans for millennia, so detested that their mere mention can make hearts race and arms itch. There are approximately 100 species of bed bugs, but thankfully only three of them feed on humans. So, why are these unwelcome houseguests so difficult to defeat? And is there any way to get rid of them for good? Gale E. Ridge investigates the tremendous staying power of bed bugs. Lesson by Gale E. Ridge, directed by Devin Clark, Augenblick Studios. Support Our Non-Profit Mission ---------------------------------------------- Support us on Patreon: Check out our merch: ---------------------------------------------- Connect With Us ---------------------------------------------- Sign up for our newsletter: Follow us on Facebook: Find us on Twitter: Peep us on Instagram: ---------------------------------------------- Keep Learning -----------------

Dig into how bed bugs establish a colony in your home, and find out what makes it so hard to prevent these itchy invasions. -- Bed bugs have tormented humans for millennia, so detested that their mere mention can make hearts race and arms itch. There are approximately 100 species of bed bugs, but thankfully only three of them feed on humans. So, why are these unwelcome houseguests so difficult to defeat? And is there any way to get rid of them for good? Gale E. Ridge investigates the tremendous staying power of bed bugs. Lesson by Gale E. Ridge, directed by Devin Clark, Augenblick Studios. Support Our Non-Profit Mission ---------------------------------------------- Support us on Patreon: Check out our merch: ---------------------------------------------- Connect With Us ---------------------------------------------- Sign up for our newsletter: Follow us on Facebook: Find us on Twitter: Peep us on Instagram: ---------------------------------------------- Keep Learning -----------------

Dig into the close relationship between figs and wasps, and find out if it's normal and safe for bugs to be in our food. -- In 2023, a US grocer recalled over 10,000 cases of broccoli-cheddar soup over concerns they contained too much of an unintended ingredient. That ingredient? Bugs. We know insects regularly come into contact with our food— but how many are you actually eating? And is it okay? Carolyn Beans takes a look at figs and their conspicuously close bond with wasps. Lesson by Carolyn Beans, directed by Denys Spolitak. Support Our Non-Profit Mission ---------------------------------------------- Support us on Patreon: Check out our merch: ---------------------------------------------- Connect With Us ---------------------------------------------- Sign up for our newsletter: Follow us on Facebook: Find us on Twitter: Peep us on Instagram: ---------------------------------------------- Keep Learning ---------------------------------------------- View full lesson: Dig deeper wit

Dig into the close relationship between figs and wasps, and find out if it's normal and safe for bugs to be in our food. -- In 2023, a US grocer recalled over 10,000 cases of broccoli-cheddar soup over concerns they contained too much of an unintended ingredient. That ingredient? Bugs. We know insects regularly come into contact with our food— but how many are you actually eating? And is it okay? Carolyn Beans takes a look at figs and their conspicuously close bond with wasps. Lesson by Carolyn Beans, directed by Denys Spolitak. Support Our Non-Profit Mission ---------------------------------------------- Support us on Patreon: Check out our merch: ---------------------------------------------- Connect With Us ---------------------------------------------- Sign up for our newsletter: Follow us on Facebook: Find us on Twitter: Peep us on Instagram: ---------------------------------------------- Keep Learning ---------------------------------------------- View full lesson: Dig deeper wit

Meet the microscopic arachnids that live on your face, and find out why Demodex mites are part of the human microbiome. -- Two species of Demodex mites specifically inhabit human follicles. And not just some people’s— nearly everyone is thought to host mites. One person’s face might harbor hundreds or even thousands of individual mites. On any given day, these microscopic arachnids are probably eating, mating, and laying eggs inside your pores. So, is this… okay? M. Alejandra Perotti investigates. Lesson by M. Alejandra Perotti, directed by Caitlin McCarthy. Support Our Non-Profit Mission ---------------------------------------------- Support us on Patreon: Check out our merch: ---------------------------------------------- Connect With Us ---------------------------------------------- Sign up for our newsletter: Follow us on Facebook: Find us on Twitter: Peep us on Instagram: ---------------------------------------------- Keep Learning ---------------------------------------------- Vi

Meet the microscopic arachnids that live on your face, and find out why Demodex mites are part of the human microbiome. -- Two species of Demodex mites specifically inhabit human follicles. And not just some people’s— nearly everyone is thought to host mites. One person’s face might harbor hundreds or even thousands of individual mites. On any given day, these microscopic arachnids are probably eating, mating, and laying eggs inside your pores. So, is this… okay? M. Alejandra Perotti investigates. Lesson by M. Alejandra Perotti, directed by Caitlin McCarthy. Support Our Non-Profit Mission ---------------------------------------------- Support us on Patreon: Check out our merch: ---------------------------------------------- Connect With Us ---------------------------------------------- Sign up for our newsletter: Follow us on Facebook: Find us on Twitter: Peep us on Instagram: ---------------------------------------------- Keep Learning ---------------------------------------------- Vi