Monster Bug Wars

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Monster Bug Wars
Monster Bug Wars poster.jpg
GenreDocumentary
Narrated by
  • Henry Stozier
  • Paul Willis (Australia)
Country of origin
  • Australia
  • United States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes12 (+2) (list of episodes)
Production
Running time
  • 44 minutes
  • 48 minutes (Australia)
Release
Original networkScience Channel
Original releaseMarch 29, 2011 (2011-03-29) –
February 28, 2012 (2012-02-28)
External links
Website

Monster Bug Wars is a nature documentary program, created and distributed by Beyond Television Productions,[1] and televised on the Science Channel in the United States, and SBS in Australia. The monster movie format features two kinds of insects, arachnids, myriapods, and other invertebrates in gladiator style combat in a simulated natural environment. In intermittent breaks, entomologists educate the viewer about the strengths and weaknesses of the dueling arthropods.

The opening narration is "In nature's fight pit, a host of ruthless bugs as bizarre as they are lethal slug it out in real-life battles to the death. Witness epic encounters between swarms of marauding assassins, and vicious one-on-one clashes where only one bug survives. The world of monster bugs is a jungle, where there's just one law: eat or be eaten."

Premise[]

The program highlights The Law of the Jungle involving two arthropods of different species, both usually being carnivorous. They are shown fighting to the death with the victor devouring the victim in graphic detail. The program is noted for its use of dramatic theme music and unusual sound editing—during combat, the sounds of growling, screaming, war cries, and shrieks of agony, to name but a few, are heard. In addition, other military and ringside sound effects such as bells, bugles, whistles and alarms are occasionally added. Of course, none of these sounds are natural and are only added to enhance the dramatic effect. However, some viewers have stated these sound effects are silly and do nothing but make a good documentary program into something rather comical.[2] It has been noted that season two has much less sound effects than season one. Despite the odd sound effects, the invertebrate specialists managing the animals for the series took great care to ensure all the interactions were those between species that naturally interact and prey upon one another in the wild. This was the result of hundreds of hours of field observation and years of experience with the various species. Like the vast majority of macro productions, this was filmed in a studio situation to allow for controlled lighting and camera operation. It utilized large natural sets which enabled the animals to behave as they would in nature. Between shots of the fight, the two entomologist hosts of the program narrate the action. Dr. Linda Rayor of Cornell University and Associate Professor Dr. Bryan Grieg Fry of University of Queensland describe each arthropod's abilities that give it an advantage over the other. The entomologists often try to predict the winner of the two.[3] [4] The program is narrated by Henry Strozier.

In Australia, the program began airing on SBS on November 14, 2012. It features re-voiced narration by Dr. Paul Willis of RIAUS, as well as a longer running time due to additional narrated footage.[5] Eden began airing the series on February 29, 2016 in the United Kingdom.

Production[]

The series premiered in 2009. The first season started in 2011 and had a run of six episodes. The series was renewed for 2012 with another six episodes produced.

Episodes[]

Series overview[]

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
PilotOctober 7, 2009 (2009-10-07)
16March 29, 2011 (2011-03-29)May 3, 2011 (2011-05-03)
26January 24, 2012 (2012-01-24)February 28, 2012 (2012-02-28)
SpecialJuly 2012 (2012-07)
36June 6, 2015 (2015-06-06)August 5, 2015 (2015-08-05)
46March 7, 2020 (2020-03-07)April 4, 2020 (2020-04-04)

In the following episode listings, winners are in bold.

Pilot (2009)[]

No.
overall		TitleOriginal air date
1"Pilot"October 7, 2009 (2009-10-07)

Rounds:

  1. – King cricket vs. Centipede
  2. – Saint Andrew Cross Spider vs. Portia spider
  3. – Desert scorpion vs. Wolf spider
  4. – Redback Spider vs. Huntsman spider
  5. – Tiger beetle vs. Raspy cricket
  6. – Giant rainforest mantis vs. Spiky katydid
  7. – Bull ant vs. Black ant

[6]

Season 1 (2011)[]

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal air date
21"Death at Midnight"March 29, 2011 (2011-03-29)

Rounds:

  1. – Giant rainforest mantis vs. Spiny leaf insect
  2. – Bull ant vs. Redback spider
  3. – Water spider vs. Water strider
  4. – White-tailed spider vs. Black house spider
  5. – Sydney funnel-web spider vs. Garden wolf spider
32"Enemy Empire"April 5, 2011 (2011-04-05)

Rounds:

  1. – Tree scorpion vs. Green ants
  2. – Cellar spider vs. White-tailed spider
  3. – Trap-jaw ant vs. Antlion
  4. – Brown house spider vs. Redback spider
  5. – Desert centipede vs. Desert trapdoor spider
43"Quick and the Deadly"April 12, 2011 (2011-04-12)

Rounds:

  1. – Ogre-faced spider vs. Assassin bug
  2. – vs. Whistling tarantula
  3. – House centipede vs. Swift tree mantis
  4. – Marbled scorpion vs. Trap-jaw ants
  5. – Metallic green jumping spider vs. Spitting spider
54"Shape-Shifters"April 19, 2011 (2011-04-19)

Rounds:

  1. – Lichen huntsman spider vs. Grey tree runner mantis
  2. – Tent spider vs.
  3. – Rhinoceros beetle vs. Meat ants
  4. – Green jumping spider vs. Long-jawed jumping spider
  5. – Giant banded huntsman spider vs.
65"When Tribes Go To War"April 26, 2011 (2011-04-26)

Rounds:

  1. – Green ants vs. Paper wasps
  2. – Portia spider vs. Long-jawed orb weaver
  3. – Balloon-winged katydid vs. Tree centipede
  4. – Badge huntsman spider vs. Spider hunting scorpion
  5. – vs. Freshwater crab
76"Rainforest Rampage"May 3, 2011 (2011-05-03)

Rounds:

  1. – Jumping jack ant vs. Green-bellied huntsman spider
  2. – Green praying mantis vs. Predatory katydid
  3. – Spiny tree cricket vs. Golden orb-weaver
  4. – Desert centipede vs. Desert scorpion
  5. – Bee killer assassin bug vs. Earwig

Season 2 (2012)[]

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal air date
81"Deadly Duels"January 24, 2012 (2012-01-24)

Rounds:

  1. – Jungle tiger beetle vs.
  2. – Horned katydid vs. Owl butterfly (caterpillar)
  3. – Ogre-faced spider vs. Army ant (Soldier)
  4. – Red-thighed wandering spider vs. Black-tailed Scorpion
  5. – Longicorn beetle vs. Flame bellied orb-weaver
92"Blood on the Forest Floor"January 31, 2012 (2012-01-31)

Rounds:

  1. – Hooded mantis vs. Brazilian wandering spider
  2. – Rainforest land crab vs. Army ant
  3. – Harvestman vs. Velvetworm
  4. – Black jungle stalker vs. Black faced katydid
  5. – Amblypygid vs. Red forest scorpion
103"Ultra Violence"February 7, 2012 (2012-02-07)

Rounds:

  1. – Giant cockroach vs. Mexican red-rump tarantula
  2. – Stripe-tailed centipede vs. Vinegaroon
  3. – Banana spider vs.
  4. – Golden carpenter ant vs. Flag-tailed assassin bug
  5. – Slender necked mantis vs. Bronzed huntsman spider
114"Mother of All Wars"February 14, 2012 (2012-02-14)

Rounds:

  1. – Black-tailed scorpion (baby) vs. Pirate spider
  2. – Lichen bark mantis vs. Rock spider
  3. – Bug-eyed katydid vs.
  4. – Rufus comb-footed spider vs. Spitting spider
  5. – Tiger assassin bug vs. Silverback cross spider
125"Murderous Intent"February 21, 2012 (2012-02-21)

Rounds:

  1. – Speckled house spider vs. Leafcutter ant (soldier)
  2. – Tiger jumping spider vs. Yellow jumping spider
  3. – Geophilid centipede vs. Costa Rican cellar spider
  4. – Orange-mouthed tarantula vs. Red Mouth Conehead katydid
  5. – Dinosaur ants vs. Trap-jaw ants
136"Super Slayers"February 28, 2012 (2012-02-28)

Rounds:

  1. – Leaf-tailed mantis vs. Sunburst raspy cricket
  2. – Spiny orb-weaver vs. Crab spider
  3. – Water bug vs. Mudeye
  4. – Domino beetle vs. Crimson-legged assassin bug
  5. – Mangrove tree crab vs. Leopard spider

Season 3 (2015)[]

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal air date
151"Fight To The Death"June 6, 2015 (2015-06-06)

Rounds:

  1. – Black Widow vs. Giant House Spider
  2. – Giant Rainforest Mantis vs. Zebra Jumping Spider
  3. – Medicinal leech vs. Freshwater Crab
  4. – Pirate spider vs. Great Green Katydid
  5. – Giant Indonesian Raspy Cricket vs. Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula
162"Death Everywhere"June 7, 2015 (2015-06-07)

Rounds:

  1. - Camel Spider vs. Amblypygid
  2. - Tiger Beetle vs. Emperor King Dragonfly
  3. - Earwig vs. Ruby-Tailed Wasp
  4. - Woodlouse Spider vs. Long-Jawed Orb Weaver
  5. - Wolf Spider vs. Gray Mouse Spider
173"Fighting For Life"June 8, 2015 (2015-06-08)

Rounds:

  1. - Green Ants vs. King Hornets
  2. - Bark Scorpion vs. Black-Tailed Scorpion
  3. - Red Rain Forest Scorpion vs. Emperor Scorpion
  4. - Black Fat Tail Scorpion vs. Deathstalker
  5. - Ogre-Faced Spider vs. Marbled Scorpion
184"The Difference"June 8, 2015 (2015-06-08)

Rounds:

  1. - Trap-Jaw Ants vs. Jumping Jack Ants
  2. - Dinosaur Ants vs. Giant Cockroach
  3. - Spotted Beetle vs. Candy-Cane Katydid
  4. - Giant Mites vs. Trap-Jaw Ants
  5. - Water Scorpion vs. Tiger Leech
195"Death Duels"May 30, 2017 (2017-05-30)

Rounds:

  1. - Mediterranean Banded Centipede vs. Emperor Scorpion
  2. - Indian Red Scorpion vs. Asian Giant Hornet
  3. - Bald-Faced Hornet vs. Black Widow
  4. - Deathstalker vs. Six-Eyed Sand Spider
  5. - Bombardier Beetle vs. Brown Recluse
206"Brutal Wars"August 5, 2017 (2017-08-05)

Rounds:

  1. - Bullet Ants vs. Hercules Beetle
  2. - Goliath Beetle vs. Driver Ants
  3. - Goliath Birdeater vs. Tarantula Hawk
  4. - Maricopa Harvester Ants vs. Fire Ants
  5. - Robber Fly vs. Common Wasp

Season 4 (2020)[]

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal air date
211"Ultimate Bloodshed"March 7, 2020 (2020-03-07)

Rounds:

  1. - Bull Ants vs. King Baboon Spider
  2. - Desert Centipede vs. Trap-Jaw Ants
  3. - Tiger Centipede vs. Wheel Bug
  4. - Green Tree Ants vs. Tree Centipede
  5. - Common Praying Mantis vs. Desert Hairy Scorpion
222"The Trail Of Death"March 11, 2020 (2020-03-11)

Rounds:

  1. - Christmas Island Red Crab vs. Orchid Mantis
  2. - Peruvian Giant Yellow-Leg Centipede vs. Blackback Land Crab
  3. - Killer Bees vs. Leafcutter Ants
  4. - Desert Millipede vs. Desert Centipede
  5. - European Nightcrawler vs. New Guinean Flatworm
233"Aquatic Wars"March 17, 2020 (2020-03-17)

Rounds:

  1. - Green Darner Dragonfly vs. Common Blue Damselfly
  2. - Water Bug vs. Blue Crayfish
  3. - American Lobster vs. Atlantic Blue Crab
  4. - Giant Tiger Prawn vs. Peacock Mantis Shrimp
  5. - Wandering Glider Dragonfly Nymph vs. Great Raft Spider
244"Disaster Strikes"March 22, 2020 (2020-03-22)

Rounds:

  1. - Great Diving Beetle vs. Medicinal Leech
  2. - Ogre-Faced Spider vs. Waterfall Centipede
  3. - Beewolf vs. Western Honeybee
  4. - Desert Locust vs. Six-Eyed Sand Spider
  5. - Pale Green Assassin Bug vs. Imperial Moth Caterpillar
255"Violent Duels"March 28, 2020 (2020-03-28)

Rounds:

  1. - Peruvian Giant Yellow-Leg Centipede vs. Elephant Stag Beetle
  2. - Bulldog Raspy Cricket vs. Giant Rainforest Mantis
  3. - Portia Spider vs. Cellar Spider
  4. - Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula vs. Tarantula Hawk
  5. - Robber Fly vs. Tiger Centipede
266"Deadly Rampage"April 4, 2020 (2020-04-04)

Rounds:

  1. - Europan Hornets vs. Robber Crab
  2. - Chestnut Orb-Weaver vs. Rusty-Patched Bumblebee
  3. - Crane Fly vs. Rabid Wolf Spider
  4. - Pale Giant Horse Fly vs. Spiny Flower Mantis
  5. - Green Lynx Spider vs. Green Huntsman

Season 5[]

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal air date
271"War In The Forest"

Rounds:

  1. - Chinese Red-Headed Centipede vs. House Centipede
  2. - Giant Silk Moth vs. Giant Deadleaf Mantis
  3. - Formosan Subterranean Termites vs. Vinegaroon
  4. - Dawson's Burrowing Bee vs. Egyptian Predatory Beetle
  5. - Antlion vs. Namib Desert Dune Ant
282"Bloody Battlefield"

Rounds:

  1. - Camel Spider vs. Wolf Spider
  2. - Rabid Wolf Spider vs. American Cockroach
  3. - Desert Hairy Scorpion vs. Paper Wasps
  4. - Tiger Centipede vs. Wolf Spider
  5. - Moss Mantis vs. Velvetworm
293"Destructive Confrontations"

Rounds:

  1. - Acacia Bull Ants vs. Short-Horned Grasshopper
  2. - Luna Moth vs. Vinegaroon
  3. - Social Wasp vs. Owl Butterfly
  4. - Common House Spider vs. Sadddleback Caterpillar
  5. - Tiger Beetle vs. Mason Bee
  6. - Army Ants vs. Driver Ants
304"Killer Instinct"

Rounds:

  1. - Red Widow vs. Mydas Fly
  2. - Whitefly vs. Woolly Bear Caterpillar
  3. - Ghost Mantis vs. Ladybug
  4. - Velvetworm vs. Orange Horned Katydid
  5. - Water Strider vs. Mudeye
315"Battle Ready"

Rounds:

  1. - Vinegaroon vs. Red Forest Scorpion
  2. - Velvetworm vs. Spiting Spider
  3. - Bulldog Raspy Cricket vs. Balloon-Winged Katydid
  4. - Black Jungle Stalker vs. Black-Tailed Scorpion
  5. - Whistling Tarantula vs. Sydney-Funnel Web Spider
326"Showdown On The Forest Floor"

Rounds:

  1. - Orchid Bee vs. Inchworm
  2. - Whirligig Beetle vs. Cigarette Bug
  3. - Damselfly vs. Aphid
  4. - Athropleura vs. Rosy Maple Moth
  5. - Giraffe Weevil vs. Pink Katydid

Season 6[]

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal air date
331"Deadly Battles"

Rounds:

  1. - Sicarius Spider vs. Deathstalker
  2. - Amblypygid vs. Wolf Spider
  3. - Spiny Orb Weaver vs. Dragonfly
  4. - Orchid Mantis vs. Moss Mantis
  5. - Tent Spiders vs. Common Wasps
342"Mortal And Bloody"

Rounds:

  1. - Green Jumping Spider vs. Spiny Harvestman
  2. - Shrimp vs. Arrow Crab
  3. - Candy-Cane Katydid vs. Domino Beetle
  4. - Vinegaroon vs. Black-Tailed Scorpion
  5. - Portia Spider vs. Ogre-Faced Spider
353"Mortal Desert"

Rounds:

  1. - Desert Vinegaroon vs. Desert Scorpion
  2. - Emperor Scorpion vs. Cellar Spider
  3. - Camel Spider vs. Desert Scorpion
  4. - Antlion vs. Desert Brown Tarantula
  5. - Desert Trapdoor Spider vs. Tiger Beetle
364"Battles In Earth And Water"

Rounds:

  1. - Long-Jawed Orb Weaver vs. Red Forest Scorpion
  2. - Hawaiian Carnivorous Caterpillar vs. Hawaiian Assassin Bug
  3. - Tiger Leech vs. Submarine Spider
  4. - Peacock Mantis Shrimp vs. Violinist Crab
  5. - Mangrove Tree Crab vs. Lichen Bark Mantis
375"Blood Fest"

Rounds:

  1. - Black Widow vs. Violinist Spider
  2. - Giant Huntsman vs. Giant Rainforest Mantis
  3. - Bulldog Raspy Cricket vs. Tree Centipede
  4. - Geophilid Centipede vs. Red Assassin Bug
  5. - Freshwater Crab vs. Water Bug
386"Death And Blood"

Rounds:

  1. - Pseudoscorpion vs. Bullet Ant
  2. - Horned Katydid vs. Badge Huntsman
  3. - Amblypygid vs. Dead Leaf Mantis
  4. - Yellow Assassin Bug vs. Paper Wasp
  5. - Bees vs. Brown House Spider

[7]

Special (2012)[]

Monster Bug Wars Top 10 is a second season compilation episode released in July 2012. This episode included 10 already released bug fights that have been shortened. The following battles are listed below:[8]

No.
overall		TitleOriginal air date
14"Monster Bug Wars Top 10"July 2012 (2012-07)

Rounds:

10. – Slender necked mantis vs. Bronzed huntsman spider
9. – Tiger beetle vs. Raspy cricket
8. – Green ant vs. Paper wasp
7. – Tiger leeches vs.Freshwater crab
6. – Trap-jaw ant vs. Antlion
5. – Assassin bug vs. Ogre-faced spider
4. – Desert centipede vs. Desert trapdoor spider
3. – Giant rainforest mantis vs. Spiny leaf insect
2. – Green jumping spider vs. Long-jawed jumping spider
1. – Tree scorpion vs. Green ant

References[]

  1. ^ "Corporate Information". Beyond. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  2. ^ community.discovery.com[dead link]
  3. ^ "Monster Bug Wars | Discovery Science". Science.discovery.com. December 10, 2013. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  4. ^ "Monster Bug Wars : Programs : Science Channel : Discovery Press Web". Press.discovery.com. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  5. ^ "On Telly - Royal Institution of AustraliaRiAus - Australia's Science Channel | Bringing science to people and people to science". Riaus.org.au. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  6. ^ "Monster Bug Wars!". IMDb. October 7, 2009.
  7. ^ "Monster Bug Wars!". IMDb. March 29, 2011.
  8. ^ "Local listings, news, recaps, photos, clips and more – MSN TV". Tv.msn.com. February 1, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2016.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""