Episode
Nature: Alien Empire: Battlezone & Metropolis
Overview
Part 2 of "Alien Empire" delves into the violence and communal living that are at the core of insect life. Included: cockroach and butterfly eating techniques; highly effective termite killers called "assassin bugs."
Details
- Series
- Nature
- Season
- Season 14
- Episode
- Episode 9
- Air date
- 1996-02-12
- Runtime
- 53 min
Episode context
Alien Empire: Battlezone & Metropolis is Episode 9 in Season 14 of Nature. It aired on 1996-02-12. The runtime is 53 min.
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Episode 8: Alien Empire: Hardware & Replicators
"Alien Empire," a three-part exploration of the world of insects, begins with survival methods used by many species. Included: how exoskeletons provide protection and can be used offensively; unusual reproductive habits of mayflies and wasps.
Episode 10: Alien Empire: Voyagers and War of the Worlds
"Alien Empire" concludes with a look at how insects have spread and how humans have tried to combat that expansion. Included: crickets that have adapted to climatic extremes; the threat posed by gypsy-moth caterpillars.
More episodes from this season
Episode 7: Parrots: Look Who's Talking
A look at parrots, birds with a playful nature and remarkable mimicry skills that have endeared them to pet owners worldwide. Included: the largest parrot species, the hyacinth macaw; scarlet macaws, white cockatoos and monk parakeets.
Episode 11: Jane Goodall's Wild Chimpanzees
Jane Goodall introduces a program that charts a "sweeping family saga" as it plays out among chimps in Tanzania's Gombe National Park. Observed: how the younger offspring try to capture their mother's attention.
Episode 6: Hunters of the Sea Wind
Following the "Hunters of the Sea Wind," predators that stalk a Pacific current for the thousands of fish it carries. Included: dolphins; yellowfin tuna; blue marlins; lantern fish; and sailfish. Also: tuna fishermen releasing dolphins from their nets.
Episode 12: Victims of Venom
A look at snakes, sea creatures and plants that employ venom, either as a defense mechanism or as a way to disable prey. Included: king and Siamese cobras; scorpions; rattlesnakes; and the Australian blue-ringed octopus.
Episode 5: Castaways of Sulawesi
Exploring the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, formed when Asia and Australia separated, which combines elements of both continents. Included: crested black macaques; a reticulated python; the babirusa ("pig-deer"); red-knobbed hornbills; fruit bats.
Episode 13: Call of Kakadu
Exploring the wildlife and terrain in the wilderness of Australia's Kakadu National Park, where years are divided between droughts and monsoons. Included: Gouldian finches, sulphur-crested cockatoos, magpie geese, dingoes and wallabies
Episode 4: The World of Penguins
Travel to "The World of Penguins” to discover the great variety of these aquatic birds.
Episode 14: Monsoon
Tracing the monsoon season when India receives most of its rain. Included: how the rains avert droughts on most of the subcontinent, but also cause massive flooding. Observed: gharial crocodiles; weaverbirds; Indian elephants; one-horned rhinos; langurs.
Episode 3: Monkey in the Mirror
Considering the similarities between simian and human intelligence. Included: a chimpanzee demonstrating a sense of self, as he recognizes his own reflection; how certain chimps can use tools; a chimp species that has recreational sex.
Episode 2: Incredible Suckers
NATURE takes you into the depths of the ocean to discover the most remarkable life still undiscovered on our planet that will certainly be found in the sea.