Back to Show
Deep Look
Fly Metamorphosis is a Beautiful Nightmare
Season 11
Episode 8
Like the beloved butterfly, a house fly goes through an incredible metamorphosis. To make its grand entry into the world, it deploys a specialized, fluid-filled balloon on its head called the ptilinum (till-EYE-num) to break open its pupal casing, freeing itself to buzz around your kitchen.
Support Provided By
4:05
Banana slug mating is slow—but far from boring: slime, biting, and wild slug sex explained.
3:52
They curl into a ball, carry their babies in a pouch, and aren’t even insects. Meet the roly poly.
4:48
They’re colorful, invasive and spreading fast. Meet the spotted lanternfly.
7:26
From ocean depths to forests, some animals glow — and it’s key to their survival.
9:51
Eggs helped animals conquer land—but most mammals stopped laying them. Why is that?
10:17
Here’s what compound eyes really do — and why flies see you in slow motion.
15:28
Whether it’s seaweed cloaks or see-through wings, these animals know how to hide. Meet four masters
16:18
Meet four creatures who’ve mastered the art of making shelter.
4:46
Peppermint stick insect packs a peppermint-scented blast powerful enough to fend off hungry predator
18:20
Death might seem like the end, but for these five creatures, it’s just part of the job.
3:57
If there ever was a bug that we should all raise a glass of wine for, it's the mealybug destroyer.
4:30
Dragonflies and damselflies may look alike, but these expert hunters have distinct strategies.