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Transcript: The Hummingbird Moth
(Bright music plays)
A child says, WHEE!
tvokids + Fifth Ground Entertainment Original.
(Giggling)
A narrator says, IT'S ME, LEO!
Leo is a red and blue fish swimming in front of two monitors with the Leo’s Pollinators logo.
Leo says, THE EXPLORER CLUB
IS ON A NEW MISSION.
Text reads, Leo’s Pollinators Explorer’s Club. TVOkids Presents.
Leo says, WE'RE HELPING THE POLLINATORS,
THOSE AMAZING CREATURES
WHO MOVE POLLEN FROM ONE PLANT,
TO ANOTHER.
Videos play of worms, bees, bats, butterflies, lemurs and moths.
Leo says, POLLEN IS THE STUFF THAT HELPS
MAKE OUR FRUITS,
VEGETABLES, AND FLOWERS.
WITHOUT OUR POLLINATORS,
FLYING, BUZZING,
SLITHERING AROUND,
WE'D ALL BE GOING HUNGRY.
EVEN ME!
HOUSTEN AND CHLOE ARE IN THE
FIELDS HELPING THE EXPERTS.
SO, GRAB YOUR BOOTS
AND YOUR NET,
AND YOU CAN BE A POLLINHEAD,
TOO.
The Leo’s Pollinators Explorer’s Club logo is displayed.
Leo says, IS IT A BIRD, IS IT A PLANE?
NOPE POLLINHEADS,
BELIEVE IT OR NOT
IS A SUPER MOTH!
THE CLEARWING HUMMINGBIRD
MOTH
IS AT THE TOP OF
THE 'NATOR NAVIGATOR.
AND NO ONE COULD BLAME YOU
FOR THINKING IT WAS A BIRD -
THAT'S HOW IT GOT IT'S NAME
BECAUSE IT LOOKS JUST
LIKE A HUMMINGBIRD!
IN FACT IT EVEN MAKES
THAT BUZZY SOUND
THAT THE HUMMINGBIRD MAKES!
AND THIS BEAUTY
HAS A COUSIN CALLED
THE SNOWBERRY CLEARWING.
The snowberry clearwing moth is black and yellow.
Leo says, HARD TO BELIEVE
THEY'RE ACTUAL MOTHS.
ISN'T POLLINHEADS?!
THE HUMMINGBIRD MOTHS
ARE REALLY GOOD MIMICS.
THEY LOOK LIKE THE HUMMINGBIRD
AND TAKE NECTAR
IN A SIMILAR WAY,
BUT THEY ALSO MIMIC A BEE,
IN HOW IT CARRIES POLLEN.
CLEVER, EH?
TODAY, HOUSTEN HAS A SUPER FUN
AND IMPORTANT MISSION
HE'S HELPING OUT EXPERT,
MARK READ,
AT MURPHYS POINT PROVINCIAL
PARK
EXPAND HIS RESEARCH
ON MOTHS IN THE AREA.
Housten takes pictures of a moth.
Leo says, AND FINS CROSSED - THEY SEE
LOTS OF HUMMINGBIRD MOTHS
BECAUSE THEY'RE VERY IMPORTANT
POLLINATOR, OR VIPS!
LET'S SEE WHAT KIND OF MOTH
MAYHEM WE GET UP TO TODAY!
OOH, GREAT NAME FOR A BAND.
Leo sings, TURN ON THE LIGHT
LET THE POLLINATORS
SHINE BRIGHT
IT'S MOTH MAYHEM.
Mark Read and Housten stand near a lake.
Mark says, THANKS FOR HELPING ME TODAY
CHECK THE MOTH TRAPS TODAY.
YOU KNOW WHAT,
IT'S KIND OF LIKE CHRISTMAS
YOU JUST NEVER KNOW
WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO FIND.
Text reads, Mark Read, Murphys Point Provincial Park, Chief Park Naturalist. Mark and Housten stand beside a moth trap box.
Housten says, COOL! I LOVE OPENING
PRESENTS!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN
DOING THIS FOR?
Mark says, I'VE HAD THIS TRAP SET OUT
FROM LATE MARCH
TO EARLY OCTOBER
FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS.
AND YOU KNOW,
WHEN I STARTED
WE KNEW OF JUST 56 DIFFERENT
SPECIES OF MOTH
HERE IN OUR PARK.
WE ARE NOW OVER 900!
Housten says, WAIT! WHAT?! 900?!
Mark says, 900.
Housten says, THAT'S A LOT OF MOTHS.
Mark says, UH-HUH.
Housten says, YOU MUST BE AN EXPERT
TRAPPER.
Mark says, WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT,
THE ACTUAL BOX HELPS ME.
SO THIS ON THE TOP
IS AN ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT
AND THAT DRAWS THE MOTHS IN
AT NIGHT TIME.
THEY GO INTO MY SPECIAL BOX.
INSIDE IT'S LIKE A MOTH CONDO,
LOTS OF EGG CARTONS ALL SET UP.
AND THEY JUST REST THERE
FOR THE NIGHT.
I BROUGHT MY CAMERA, AND I'VE
GOT A LITTLE NOTEBOOK HERE.
AND MAYBE YOU CAN HELP TAKE
SOME PICTURES
AND WRITE DOWN WHAT WE SEE.
Housten says, I GOT IT.
Mark says, ALL RIGHT. SO, LET'S SEE
WHAT WE'VE GOT IN THE BOX.
Mark pulls the lid off the moth trap box.
Housten says, WHOA!
Mark says, OH, I SEE ONE ALREADY!
Inside the box are multiple egg cartons.
Mark says, THERE. THE EGG CARTON
AT THE BACK.
THIS IS A TIGER MOTH.
AND THESE ARE ACTUALLY
POLLINATORS.
Housten holds one of the egg cartons. Mark points to a moth on the carton.
He says, NOT THE ONE WE ARE LOOKING
FOR TODAY,
BUT THESE DO COME OUT
AT NIGHTTIME
AND THEY'LL CERTAINLY FEED
ON THE FLOWERS
THAT ARE BLOOMING AT NIGHT,
LIKE THE TREES AND SO ON.
Housten says, POLLEN NEEDS TREES?
Mark says, IT SURE DOES.
SO, NOW WE'RE GONNA TAKE
A PHOTO.
Housten takes a photo of the moth.
He says, GOT IT!
(Upbeat music plays)
Housten takes notes. A moth explores Mark’s hand, then flies away.
Mark says, THIS IS ANOTHER MOTH.
He pulls another egg carton out of the box.
Housten says, OH, IT LOOKS LIKE A LEAF.
Mark says, IT DOES, DOESN'T IT?
Text reads, twin-spotted sphinx moth.
Mark says, AND YOU KNOW WHAT'S REALLY,
REALLY COOL ABOUT THIS ONE.
IF IT'S DISTURBED BY A BIRD,
FOR EXAMPLE,
THE BACK WINGS POP OPEN,
AND LOOK AT THOSE...
WHAT DO THOSE THINGS LOOK LIKE,
THERE?
Housten says, IT LOOKS LIKE EYES.
Mark says, THEY LOOK JUST LIKE EYES.
AND IF YOU WERE A BIRD
AND YOU SUDDENLY SAW THOSE EYES
POPPING OUT AT YOU,
YOU GO…
Mark gasps.
He continues …AND BACK OFF
AND LEAVE IT ALONE.
Housten says, YEAH, THAT WOULD BE PRETTY
SCARY.
Mark says, IT FRIGHTENS THE BIRDS AWAY.
The moth moves up Mark’s arm.
Mark says, OH, LOOK, DO YOU WANNA PUT IT
ON YOUR HAND?
Mark holds his arm beside Housten’s as the moth moves.
Housten says, WHOA, SO TICKLISH.
Housten giggles.
Mark says, ISN'T THAT COOL?
SO THAT'S CALLED
A TWIN-SPOTTED SPHINX.
Housten makes a note in his notepad.
Mark asks, DO YOU WANNA GET A PHOTO
OF THAT?
Housten takes a photo of the moth.
Mark says, AWESOME!
(Upbeat music plays)
The moth explores Mark’s arm before flying away.
Mark says, THIS IS PROBABLY MY FAVOURITE
MOTH.
IT'S CALLED A PINE IMPERIAL
MOTH.
NOW IT'S NOT A POLLINATOR.
Mark holds an egg carton with a pine imperial moth on the side.
Mark says, ACTUALLY, IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE
MOUTH PARTS FOR FEEDING.
BUT JUST LOOK AT THE COLOURS
ON THAT! JUST BLOWS ME AWAY!
AND THE SIZE.
Housten says, I KNOW!
I THOUGH HE ONLY HAD TWO WINGS.
BUT HE HAS LIKE FOUR,
LIKE RIGHT HERE.
Mark says, THEY HAVE FOUR WINGS.
SO TWO AT THE TOP
AND THEN TWO UNDERNEATH, EH?
Mark points out the different wings on the moth.
He says, WE ARE SO, SO LUCKY TO SEE
THAT ONE.
A moth flies off Mark’s hand. Mark holds another moth.
He says, THIS IS ACTUALLY CALLED
A WALNUT SPHINX.
OH...
The moth flies away.
Housten says, OH!
Mark says, WE'LL LET THAT ONE GO.
LOOK AT THAT.
Housten watches the moth fly away. Mark pulls out another egg carton.
He says, AH, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE
IS ANYTHING--
Housten says, NO.
Mark says, LOOK AT THAT ONE THERE.
Mark points to a spot in the egg carton.
Housten asks, HOW COULD THAT BE
A POLLINATOR?
IT'S LIKE SO SMALL.
Mark says, YEAH. AND IT IS A POLLINATOR.
THIS IS CALLED THE EASTERN
GRASS VENEER.
SO...
The eastern grass veneer flies away.
Mark says, …OH! I LOST THAT ONE!
Housten writes in the notepad.
Mark asks, SO WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE MOTH
TODAY?
Housten says, THE SPHINX.
Mark says, THE SPHINX MOTH?
THAT WAS THE ONE THAT LOOKED
LIKE THE LEAF, EH?
Housten says, YEAH!
Mark says, THE TWIN-SPOTTED SPHINX.
SO DO YOU KNOW
HOW MANY WE COUGH?
Housten says, I THINK IT'S 15.
Mark says, 15!
YOU KNOW WHAT; YOU'VE BROUGHT
SOME LUCK WITH YOU TODAY.
Mark says, OH, BUT WE DIDN'T CATCH
HUMMINGBIRD MOTHS YET.
Mark says, NO, WE HAVEN'T BUT WE'LL
JUST GET GONE GO OUT,
CROSS TO THE MEADOW BECAUSE
THEY'RE DAY-TIME FLIERS.
AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL FIND ONE
OF THOSE THERE.
In a meadow are purple flowers.
Mark says, SO, THIS IS COMMON MILKWEED.
IT'S COMING IN TO FLOWER,
AND HOPEFULLY THIS IS WHERE
WE'LL SEE THE HUMMINGBIRD MOTH.
Housten says, SO WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR EYES
OPEN FOR MOTHS
THAT LOOK LIKE A BIG BIRD
SITTING ON A FLOWERS.
Mark says, ALMOST. THEY DON'T ACTUALLY
SIT ON THE FLOWERS.
JUST LIKE A HUMMINGBIRD,
THEY ACTUALLY HOVER IN THE AIR.
THEY'VE GOT THIS TAIL,
AS WELL, THAT SPREADS OUT.
SO WE'RE LOOKING REALLY FOR
A TINY, LITTLE HUMMINGBIRDS.
Housten says, SO THEY'RE LIKE LITTLE POLLEN
HELICOPTERS?
Mark says, POLLEN HELICOPTERS -
YEAH, FOR SURE.
AND THEY HAVE THIS REALLY
LONG PROBOSCIS,
THICK, TO SUCK THE NECTAR
FROM THE ACTUAL FLOWERS.
Housten asks, LIKE A TONGUE STRAW?
Mark says, A TONGUE STRAW!
THAT'S A REALLY NICE WAY
TO PUT IT. YEAH, TONGUE STRAW.
Mark and Housten laugh.
Mark says, YES. OKAY, LET'S SEE
WHAT WE FIND.
Housten says, OKAY.
A person says, DID YOU KNOW,
THAT A PROBOSCIS
IS ANOTHER WORD FOR NOSE?
Chloe wears a purple shirt. She stands in front of a chalkboard. An elephant stands in water.
Chloe says, AN ELEPHANT TRUNK IS PROBABLY
THE BIGGEST
PROBOSCIS OUT THERE,
AND THE MOSQUITO HAS ONE
OF THE SMALLEST.
BUT A PROBOSCIS DOESN'T
JUST SMELL,
IT'S ALSO AN EXTRA LONG
SUCKING MOUTHPART
THAT IS TUBULAR AND FLEXIBLE,
OR BASICALLY A STRAW!
Different insects explore plants.
Chloe says, FLIES AND MOTHS, IT'S CURLED UP
AROUND THEIR HEAD.
BUT WHEN THEY WANT TO EAT,
THEY UNCOIL IT
AND BECOMES DOUBLE THE SIZE
OF THE MOTH.
THAT'S ONE REALLY LONG NOSE
STRAW!
NOW YOU KNOW!
Mark carries a net.
He says, I ACTUALLY BROUGHT ONE
WITH ME,
WHICH UNFORTUNATELY,
IT'S ALREADY DIED.
Mark puts down the net.
He says, BUT I THOUGHT IT'D BE NICE TO
SHOW YOU WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.
Mark holds a clearwing hummingbird moth.
Housten says, KINDA LOOKS LIKE A BEE.
Mark says, SO THIS IS
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR.
IT'S GOT THAT BIG BAND
ACROSS THE BACK.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU NOTICE
ABOUT THE WINGS
THAT'S UNUSUAL FOR A MOTH
OR EVEN A BUTTERFLY?
Housten examines the moth.
He says, OH WAIT! IT'S SEE-THROUGH.
Mark says, UH-HUH.
LIKE A BEE WOULD HAVE
SEE-THROUGH WINGS.
IT'S ALMOST LIKE GIANT
BUMBLEBEE.
Housten says, YEAH!
Mark says, YEAH.
Leo wears a sharks fin.
Leo says, NOTICE ANYTHING DIFFERENT?
THE SHARKS FIN -
ISN'T IT FANTASTIC?!
THIS POLLINHEADS IS A GREAT
EXAMPLE OF A DISGUISE.
A graphic reads, What’s the Buzz? With Leo.
Leo says, AND THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN MIMICRY
AND DISGUISE.
A moth is compared to a toad that blends in with a tree.
Leo says, BOTH THINGS HELP PROTECT
THE ANIMAL FROM PREDATORS.
BUT DISGUISE, OR CAMOUFLAGE,
IS THE ABILITY TO BLEND IN
WITH YOUR ENVIRONMENT.
AND THIS WHERE NATURES
GET REALLY CLEVER.
MIMICRY IS WHEN THE CREATURE
HAS ADAPTED OR EVOLVED
TO LOOK LIKE ANOTHER CREATURE
TO AVOID BEING EATEN
BY A PREDATOR.
THE CLEARWING MOTH IS A PERFECT
EXAMPLE OF MIMICRY.
BIRDS LOVE TO EAT MOTHS
AND BEING A BIG MOTH
THAT LOOKS LIKE A BIRD
IS A PRETTY GOOD WAY
TO FOOL A POTENTIAL PREDATOR.
DON'T YOU THINK?
BUT IT ALSO LOOKS LIKE A BEE,
AND NOT TOO MANY CREATURES
WANNA GO MESSING WITH A BEE.
SO MY SHARK FIN, MAY BE FUN,
BUT IT'S JUST A DISGUISE.
WHEREAS CLEARWING MOTHS
ARE MASTERS OF MIMICRY.
AND I SAY, THAT'S DEFINITELY
BUZZ WORTHY!
Mark holds his net.
He says, SO I NEED TO SHOW YOU
HOW TO USE THE NET.
SO WE COME ACROSS, TWIST,
AND THEN WE HOLD IT LIKE THAT.
Mark demonstrates swinging and flipping his net, then holding closed the bottom.
Housten says, SO YOU PUT THE WRIST IN IT,
RIGHT?
Mark says, IT'S ALL IN THE WRIST.
YEAH.
Housten says, OKAY.
Mark says, SO IF YOU WANNA TAKE THAT
ONE. THAT ONE IS YOURS.
Mark passes Housten a net.
Mark says, ALL RIGHT.
Housten says, OKAY, LET'S GO.
Mark says, OKAY.
Mark and Housten walk through a meadow with their nets. They search the meadow. Mark swings his net.
He says, OH, I'VE GOT SOMETHING.
Hosuten says, OH!
Mark says, I'VE GOT SOMETHING.
Housten asks, IS IT A TIGER MOTH?
Mark says, IT'S A TIGER MOTH, JUST LIKE
THE ONE WE SAW THIS MORNING.
IT'S NOT A HUMMINGBIRD MOTH,
BUT IT CERTAINLY IS
A POLLINATOR.
SO THAT'S GREAT.
WELL, LET'S KEEP GOING.
LET'S SEE IF WE CAN FIND
THAT HUMMINGBIRD.
(Soft music plays)
Mark holds a leaf where a moth rests. He and Housten continue searching the meadow.
Housten says, I CAN'T BELIEVE WE DIDN'T
FIND A HUMMINGBIRD MOTH.
I GUESS MY LUCK RUN OUT.
Mark says, OH, YOU KNOW,
I WOULDN'T SAY THAT.
WE DID SEE LOTS OF REALLY
COOL POLLINATOR MOTHS
THIS MORNING,
AND THAT'S THE WAY NATURE IS.
SOME DAYS YOU SEE GREAT STUFF
AND OTHER DAYS
IT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK.
BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT,
ANY DAY THAT WE'RE OUT
LOOKING FOR MOTHS
IS A GOOD DAY.
I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU CAME ALONG
WITH US.
Housten says, POLLI-TUDLY.
I HAVE THIS HANDSHAKE
CALLED THE HIGH FLY.
Mark says, A HIGH FLY?
Housten explains, SO PUT BOTH OF YOUR HANDS
IN THE MIDDLE...
Housten and Mark say, HIGH FLY!
They raise their hands and laugh.
Mark says, LET'S JUST HAVE A QUICK LOOK
AT THIS TRAIL BEFORE WE LEAVE.
OKAY?
Housten says, OKAY.
Mark says, ONE MORE SHOT. LET'S GO.
Housten says, LET'S GO.
Housten and Mark head down a trail.
Leo says, DON'T WORRY, HOUSTEN,
I'VE GOT YOU.
HEY, KATHLEEN, CAN YOU HELP
A FELLOW POLLINHEAD OUT?
ANY CHANCE YOU GOT
A CLEARWING MOTH?
Kathleen wears her light coloured hair in a bun. Text reads, Kathleen Chayer, The Pinery Provincial Park, Park Ranger. Kathleen checks her net.
She says, YOU KNOW WHAT, LEO,
I THINK I DO.
SO THIS, LEO, IS A SNOWBERRY
CLEARWING MOTH,
AND IT'S THE VERY CLOSE COUSIN
OF THE HUMMINGBIRD CLEARWING
MOTH.
A moth rests on Kathleen’s finger.
Leo says, HOUSTEN WAS OUT ALL DAY
AND DIDN'T GET ONE.
THEY MUST BE PRETTY HARD
TO CATCH.
Kathleen says, THEY SURE CAN BE.
ABSOLUTELY.
SO THE MOTHS STAGE
OF THEIR LIFE-CYCLE
IS REALLY ONLY A COUPLE WEEKS
LONG.
THEY CAN BE A LITTLE BIT
CONFUSING
WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING
FOR THEM TOO,
BECAUSE THEY CAN BE EASILY
CONFUSED FOR A HUMMINGBIRD
OR EVEN A BEE.
Leo says, TELL US ABOUT THIS
WING-TASTIC POLLINATOR.
Kathleen keeps the moth in a clear, plastic box.
She says, I LIKE SO MANY THINGS
ABOUT THEM.
ITS WINGS ARE CLEAR AND THAT'S
REALLY DISTINCT FOR A MOTH.
USUALLY MOTHS HAVE SMALL SCALES
ALL OVER THEIR WINGS.
BUT YOU CAN SEE RIGHT THROUGH
THE WINGS OF THIS MOTH HERE.
AND IT HAD KIND OF, A CLUB
TOWARD THE END OF THE ANTENNA,
BUT THEY'RE VERY SMOOTH.
OFTEN MOTHS HAVE KIND
OF FEATHERY ANTENNA.
Leo says, THANKS FOR HELPING US OUT,
KATHLEEN.
IT'S SO EXCITING TO SEE ONE
IN PERSON.
POLLINHEAD ALERT,
IF YOU WANNA HELP OUT
THE CLEARWING MOTHS,
POLLINHEADS,
IT CAN BE AS SIMPLE AS SHOWING
SOME RESPECT
FOR THAT PESKY CATERPILLAR,
THAT MAY BE MUNCHING ON SOME
OF THE PLANTS IN YOUR GARDEN.
MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE
THAT CATERPILLARS
WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME
MOTHS OR BUTTERFLIES.
THE CATERPILLARS NEED
TO SNACK ON SOMETHING
TO TURN THEMSELVES INTO THESE
MAGNIFICENT POLLINATING
CREATURES.
SO, IF YOU CAN,
LEAVE THAT CATERPILLAR BE.
AND YOU COULD EVEN ENCOURAGE
THEM BY PLANTING
HONEYSUCKLE OR HAWTHORNS
IN YOUR GARDEN.
HAVING A SHARKS FIN DISGUISE
WAS FUN,
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT'S
EVEN MORE FUN,
BEING LEO THE CATFISH.
LATER POLLINATORS!
(Bright music plays)
Leo watches credits roll.
Directed by Karen Hawes.
Written by Kara Harun.
Created by Karen Hawes and Christopher Szarka.
Produced by Christopher Szarka and Raj Panikkar.
With Naomi Melvin as ‘Leo’ and Chloe Drayton and Housten Daghighi.
Produced in association with tvokids.
Fifth Ground Entertainment.
A child says, WHEE!
tvokids + Fifth Ground Entertainment Original.
(Giggling)
A narrator says, IT'S ME, LEO!
Leo is a red and blue fish swimming in front of two monitors with the Leo’s Pollinators logo.
Leo says, THE EXPLORER CLUB
IS ON A NEW MISSION.
Text reads, Leo’s Pollinators Explorer’s Club. TVOkids Presents.
Leo says, WE'RE HELPING THE POLLINATORS,
THOSE AMAZING CREATURES
WHO MOVE POLLEN FROM ONE PLANT,
TO ANOTHER.
Videos play of worms, bees, bats, butterflies, lemurs and moths.
Leo says, POLLEN IS THE STUFF THAT HELPS
MAKE OUR FRUITS,
VEGETABLES, AND FLOWERS.
WITHOUT OUR POLLINATORS,
FLYING, BUZZING,
SLITHERING AROUND,
WE'D ALL BE GOING HUNGRY.
EVEN ME!
HOUSTEN AND CHLOE ARE IN THE
FIELDS HELPING THE EXPERTS.
SO, GRAB YOUR BOOTS
AND YOUR NET,
AND YOU CAN BE A POLLINHEAD,
TOO.
The Leo’s Pollinators Explorer’s Club logo is displayed.
Leo says, IS IT A BIRD, IS IT A PLANE?
NOPE POLLINHEADS,
BELIEVE IT OR NOT
IS A SUPER MOTH!
THE CLEARWING HUMMINGBIRD
MOTH
IS AT THE TOP OF
THE 'NATOR NAVIGATOR.
AND NO ONE COULD BLAME YOU
FOR THINKING IT WAS A BIRD -
THAT'S HOW IT GOT IT'S NAME
BECAUSE IT LOOKS JUST
LIKE A HUMMINGBIRD!
IN FACT IT EVEN MAKES
THAT BUZZY SOUND
THAT THE HUMMINGBIRD MAKES!
AND THIS BEAUTY
HAS A COUSIN CALLED
THE SNOWBERRY CLEARWING.
The snowberry clearwing moth is black and yellow.
Leo says, HARD TO BELIEVE
THEY'RE ACTUAL MOTHS.
ISN'T POLLINHEADS?!
THE HUMMINGBIRD MOTHS
ARE REALLY GOOD MIMICS.
THEY LOOK LIKE THE HUMMINGBIRD
AND TAKE NECTAR
IN A SIMILAR WAY,
BUT THEY ALSO MIMIC A BEE,
IN HOW IT CARRIES POLLEN.
CLEVER, EH?
TODAY, HOUSTEN HAS A SUPER FUN
AND IMPORTANT MISSION
HE'S HELPING OUT EXPERT,
MARK READ,
AT MURPHYS POINT PROVINCIAL
PARK
EXPAND HIS RESEARCH
ON MOTHS IN THE AREA.
Housten takes pictures of a moth.
Leo says, AND FINS CROSSED - THEY SEE
LOTS OF HUMMINGBIRD MOTHS
BECAUSE THEY'RE VERY IMPORTANT
POLLINATOR, OR VIPS!
LET'S SEE WHAT KIND OF MOTH
MAYHEM WE GET UP TO TODAY!
OOH, GREAT NAME FOR A BAND.
Leo sings, TURN ON THE LIGHT
LET THE POLLINATORS
SHINE BRIGHT
IT'S MOTH MAYHEM.
Mark Read and Housten stand near a lake.
Mark says, THANKS FOR HELPING ME TODAY
CHECK THE MOTH TRAPS TODAY.
YOU KNOW WHAT,
IT'S KIND OF LIKE CHRISTMAS
YOU JUST NEVER KNOW
WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO FIND.
Text reads, Mark Read, Murphys Point Provincial Park, Chief Park Naturalist. Mark and Housten stand beside a moth trap box.
Housten says, COOL! I LOVE OPENING
PRESENTS!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN
DOING THIS FOR?
Mark says, I'VE HAD THIS TRAP SET OUT
FROM LATE MARCH
TO EARLY OCTOBER
FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS.
AND YOU KNOW,
WHEN I STARTED
WE KNEW OF JUST 56 DIFFERENT
SPECIES OF MOTH
HERE IN OUR PARK.
WE ARE NOW OVER 900!
Housten says, WAIT! WHAT?! 900?!
Mark says, 900.
Housten says, THAT'S A LOT OF MOTHS.
Mark says, UH-HUH.
Housten says, YOU MUST BE AN EXPERT
TRAPPER.
Mark says, WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT,
THE ACTUAL BOX HELPS ME.
SO THIS ON THE TOP
IS AN ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT
AND THAT DRAWS THE MOTHS IN
AT NIGHT TIME.
THEY GO INTO MY SPECIAL BOX.
INSIDE IT'S LIKE A MOTH CONDO,
LOTS OF EGG CARTONS ALL SET UP.
AND THEY JUST REST THERE
FOR THE NIGHT.
I BROUGHT MY CAMERA, AND I'VE
GOT A LITTLE NOTEBOOK HERE.
AND MAYBE YOU CAN HELP TAKE
SOME PICTURES
AND WRITE DOWN WHAT WE SEE.
Housten says, I GOT IT.
Mark says, ALL RIGHT. SO, LET'S SEE
WHAT WE'VE GOT IN THE BOX.
Mark pulls the lid off the moth trap box.
Housten says, WHOA!
Mark says, OH, I SEE ONE ALREADY!
Inside the box are multiple egg cartons.
Mark says, THERE. THE EGG CARTON
AT THE BACK.
THIS IS A TIGER MOTH.
AND THESE ARE ACTUALLY
POLLINATORS.
Housten holds one of the egg cartons. Mark points to a moth on the carton.
He says, NOT THE ONE WE ARE LOOKING
FOR TODAY,
BUT THESE DO COME OUT
AT NIGHTTIME
AND THEY'LL CERTAINLY FEED
ON THE FLOWERS
THAT ARE BLOOMING AT NIGHT,
LIKE THE TREES AND SO ON.
Housten says, POLLEN NEEDS TREES?
Mark says, IT SURE DOES.
SO, NOW WE'RE GONNA TAKE
A PHOTO.
Housten takes a photo of the moth.
He says, GOT IT!
(Upbeat music plays)
Housten takes notes. A moth explores Mark’s hand, then flies away.
Mark says, THIS IS ANOTHER MOTH.
He pulls another egg carton out of the box.
Housten says, OH, IT LOOKS LIKE A LEAF.
Mark says, IT DOES, DOESN'T IT?
Text reads, twin-spotted sphinx moth.
Mark says, AND YOU KNOW WHAT'S REALLY,
REALLY COOL ABOUT THIS ONE.
IF IT'S DISTURBED BY A BIRD,
FOR EXAMPLE,
THE BACK WINGS POP OPEN,
AND LOOK AT THOSE...
WHAT DO THOSE THINGS LOOK LIKE,
THERE?
Housten says, IT LOOKS LIKE EYES.
Mark says, THEY LOOK JUST LIKE EYES.
AND IF YOU WERE A BIRD
AND YOU SUDDENLY SAW THOSE EYES
POPPING OUT AT YOU,
YOU GO…
Mark gasps.
He continues …AND BACK OFF
AND LEAVE IT ALONE.
Housten says, YEAH, THAT WOULD BE PRETTY
SCARY.
Mark says, IT FRIGHTENS THE BIRDS AWAY.
The moth moves up Mark’s arm.
Mark says, OH, LOOK, DO YOU WANNA PUT IT
ON YOUR HAND?
Mark holds his arm beside Housten’s as the moth moves.
Housten says, WHOA, SO TICKLISH.
Housten giggles.
Mark says, ISN'T THAT COOL?
SO THAT'S CALLED
A TWIN-SPOTTED SPHINX.
Housten makes a note in his notepad.
Mark asks, DO YOU WANNA GET A PHOTO
OF THAT?
Housten takes a photo of the moth.
Mark says, AWESOME!
(Upbeat music plays)
The moth explores Mark’s arm before flying away.
Mark says, THIS IS PROBABLY MY FAVOURITE
MOTH.
IT'S CALLED A PINE IMPERIAL
MOTH.
NOW IT'S NOT A POLLINATOR.
Mark holds an egg carton with a pine imperial moth on the side.
Mark says, ACTUALLY, IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE
MOUTH PARTS FOR FEEDING.
BUT JUST LOOK AT THE COLOURS
ON THAT! JUST BLOWS ME AWAY!
AND THE SIZE.
Housten says, I KNOW!
I THOUGH HE ONLY HAD TWO WINGS.
BUT HE HAS LIKE FOUR,
LIKE RIGHT HERE.
Mark says, THEY HAVE FOUR WINGS.
SO TWO AT THE TOP
AND THEN TWO UNDERNEATH, EH?
Mark points out the different wings on the moth.
He says, WE ARE SO, SO LUCKY TO SEE
THAT ONE.
A moth flies off Mark’s hand. Mark holds another moth.
He says, THIS IS ACTUALLY CALLED
A WALNUT SPHINX.
OH...
The moth flies away.
Housten says, OH!
Mark says, WE'LL LET THAT ONE GO.
LOOK AT THAT.
Housten watches the moth fly away. Mark pulls out another egg carton.
He says, AH, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE
IS ANYTHING--
Housten says, NO.
Mark says, LOOK AT THAT ONE THERE.
Mark points to a spot in the egg carton.
Housten asks, HOW COULD THAT BE
A POLLINATOR?
IT'S LIKE SO SMALL.
Mark says, YEAH. AND IT IS A POLLINATOR.
THIS IS CALLED THE EASTERN
GRASS VENEER.
SO...
The eastern grass veneer flies away.
Mark says, …OH! I LOST THAT ONE!
Housten writes in the notepad.
Mark asks, SO WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE MOTH
TODAY?
Housten says, THE SPHINX.
Mark says, THE SPHINX MOTH?
THAT WAS THE ONE THAT LOOKED
LIKE THE LEAF, EH?
Housten says, YEAH!
Mark says, THE TWIN-SPOTTED SPHINX.
SO DO YOU KNOW
HOW MANY WE COUGH?
Housten says, I THINK IT'S 15.
Mark says, 15!
YOU KNOW WHAT; YOU'VE BROUGHT
SOME LUCK WITH YOU TODAY.
Mark says, OH, BUT WE DIDN'T CATCH
HUMMINGBIRD MOTHS YET.
Mark says, NO, WE HAVEN'T BUT WE'LL
JUST GET GONE GO OUT,
CROSS TO THE MEADOW BECAUSE
THEY'RE DAY-TIME FLIERS.
AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL FIND ONE
OF THOSE THERE.
In a meadow are purple flowers.
Mark says, SO, THIS IS COMMON MILKWEED.
IT'S COMING IN TO FLOWER,
AND HOPEFULLY THIS IS WHERE
WE'LL SEE THE HUMMINGBIRD MOTH.
Housten says, SO WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR EYES
OPEN FOR MOTHS
THAT LOOK LIKE A BIG BIRD
SITTING ON A FLOWERS.
Mark says, ALMOST. THEY DON'T ACTUALLY
SIT ON THE FLOWERS.
JUST LIKE A HUMMINGBIRD,
THEY ACTUALLY HOVER IN THE AIR.
THEY'VE GOT THIS TAIL,
AS WELL, THAT SPREADS OUT.
SO WE'RE LOOKING REALLY FOR
A TINY, LITTLE HUMMINGBIRDS.
Housten says, SO THEY'RE LIKE LITTLE POLLEN
HELICOPTERS?
Mark says, POLLEN HELICOPTERS -
YEAH, FOR SURE.
AND THEY HAVE THIS REALLY
LONG PROBOSCIS,
THICK, TO SUCK THE NECTAR
FROM THE ACTUAL FLOWERS.
Housten asks, LIKE A TONGUE STRAW?
Mark says, A TONGUE STRAW!
THAT'S A REALLY NICE WAY
TO PUT IT. YEAH, TONGUE STRAW.
Mark and Housten laugh.
Mark says, YES. OKAY, LET'S SEE
WHAT WE FIND.
Housten says, OKAY.
A person says, DID YOU KNOW,
THAT A PROBOSCIS
IS ANOTHER WORD FOR NOSE?
Chloe wears a purple shirt. She stands in front of a chalkboard. An elephant stands in water.
Chloe says, AN ELEPHANT TRUNK IS PROBABLY
THE BIGGEST
PROBOSCIS OUT THERE,
AND THE MOSQUITO HAS ONE
OF THE SMALLEST.
BUT A PROBOSCIS DOESN'T
JUST SMELL,
IT'S ALSO AN EXTRA LONG
SUCKING MOUTHPART
THAT IS TUBULAR AND FLEXIBLE,
OR BASICALLY A STRAW!
Different insects explore plants.
Chloe says, FLIES AND MOTHS, IT'S CURLED UP
AROUND THEIR HEAD.
BUT WHEN THEY WANT TO EAT,
THEY UNCOIL IT
AND BECOMES DOUBLE THE SIZE
OF THE MOTH.
THAT'S ONE REALLY LONG NOSE
STRAW!
NOW YOU KNOW!
Mark carries a net.
He says, I ACTUALLY BROUGHT ONE
WITH ME,
WHICH UNFORTUNATELY,
IT'S ALREADY DIED.
Mark puts down the net.
He says, BUT I THOUGHT IT'D BE NICE TO
SHOW YOU WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.
Mark holds a clearwing hummingbird moth.
Housten says, KINDA LOOKS LIKE A BEE.
Mark says, SO THIS IS
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR.
IT'S GOT THAT BIG BAND
ACROSS THE BACK.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU NOTICE
ABOUT THE WINGS
THAT'S UNUSUAL FOR A MOTH
OR EVEN A BUTTERFLY?
Housten examines the moth.
He says, OH WAIT! IT'S SEE-THROUGH.
Mark says, UH-HUH.
LIKE A BEE WOULD HAVE
SEE-THROUGH WINGS.
IT'S ALMOST LIKE GIANT
BUMBLEBEE.
Housten says, YEAH!
Mark says, YEAH.
Leo wears a sharks fin.
Leo says, NOTICE ANYTHING DIFFERENT?
THE SHARKS FIN -
ISN'T IT FANTASTIC?!
THIS POLLINHEADS IS A GREAT
EXAMPLE OF A DISGUISE.
A graphic reads, What’s the Buzz? With Leo.
Leo says, AND THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN MIMICRY
AND DISGUISE.
A moth is compared to a toad that blends in with a tree.
Leo says, BOTH THINGS HELP PROTECT
THE ANIMAL FROM PREDATORS.
BUT DISGUISE, OR CAMOUFLAGE,
IS THE ABILITY TO BLEND IN
WITH YOUR ENVIRONMENT.
AND THIS WHERE NATURES
GET REALLY CLEVER.
MIMICRY IS WHEN THE CREATURE
HAS ADAPTED OR EVOLVED
TO LOOK LIKE ANOTHER CREATURE
TO AVOID BEING EATEN
BY A PREDATOR.
THE CLEARWING MOTH IS A PERFECT
EXAMPLE OF MIMICRY.
BIRDS LOVE TO EAT MOTHS
AND BEING A BIG MOTH
THAT LOOKS LIKE A BIRD
IS A PRETTY GOOD WAY
TO FOOL A POTENTIAL PREDATOR.
DON'T YOU THINK?
BUT IT ALSO LOOKS LIKE A BEE,
AND NOT TOO MANY CREATURES
WANNA GO MESSING WITH A BEE.
SO MY SHARK FIN, MAY BE FUN,
BUT IT'S JUST A DISGUISE.
WHEREAS CLEARWING MOTHS
ARE MASTERS OF MIMICRY.
AND I SAY, THAT'S DEFINITELY
BUZZ WORTHY!
Mark holds his net.
He says, SO I NEED TO SHOW YOU
HOW TO USE THE NET.
SO WE COME ACROSS, TWIST,
AND THEN WE HOLD IT LIKE THAT.
Mark demonstrates swinging and flipping his net, then holding closed the bottom.
Housten says, SO YOU PUT THE WRIST IN IT,
RIGHT?
Mark says, IT'S ALL IN THE WRIST.
YEAH.
Housten says, OKAY.
Mark says, SO IF YOU WANNA TAKE THAT
ONE. THAT ONE IS YOURS.
Mark passes Housten a net.
Mark says, ALL RIGHT.
Housten says, OKAY, LET'S GO.
Mark says, OKAY.
Mark and Housten walk through a meadow with their nets. They search the meadow. Mark swings his net.
He says, OH, I'VE GOT SOMETHING.
Hosuten says, OH!
Mark says, I'VE GOT SOMETHING.
Housten asks, IS IT A TIGER MOTH?
Mark says, IT'S A TIGER MOTH, JUST LIKE
THE ONE WE SAW THIS MORNING.
IT'S NOT A HUMMINGBIRD MOTH,
BUT IT CERTAINLY IS
A POLLINATOR.
SO THAT'S GREAT.
WELL, LET'S KEEP GOING.
LET'S SEE IF WE CAN FIND
THAT HUMMINGBIRD.
(Soft music plays)
Mark holds a leaf where a moth rests. He and Housten continue searching the meadow.
Housten says, I CAN'T BELIEVE WE DIDN'T
FIND A HUMMINGBIRD MOTH.
I GUESS MY LUCK RUN OUT.
Mark says, OH, YOU KNOW,
I WOULDN'T SAY THAT.
WE DID SEE LOTS OF REALLY
COOL POLLINATOR MOTHS
THIS MORNING,
AND THAT'S THE WAY NATURE IS.
SOME DAYS YOU SEE GREAT STUFF
AND OTHER DAYS
IT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK.
BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT,
ANY DAY THAT WE'RE OUT
LOOKING FOR MOTHS
IS A GOOD DAY.
I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU CAME ALONG
WITH US.
Housten says, POLLI-TUDLY.
I HAVE THIS HANDSHAKE
CALLED THE HIGH FLY.
Mark says, A HIGH FLY?
Housten explains, SO PUT BOTH OF YOUR HANDS
IN THE MIDDLE...
Housten and Mark say, HIGH FLY!
They raise their hands and laugh.
Mark says, LET'S JUST HAVE A QUICK LOOK
AT THIS TRAIL BEFORE WE LEAVE.
OKAY?
Housten says, OKAY.
Mark says, ONE MORE SHOT. LET'S GO.
Housten says, LET'S GO.
Housten and Mark head down a trail.
Leo says, DON'T WORRY, HOUSTEN,
I'VE GOT YOU.
HEY, KATHLEEN, CAN YOU HELP
A FELLOW POLLINHEAD OUT?
ANY CHANCE YOU GOT
A CLEARWING MOTH?
Kathleen wears her light coloured hair in a bun. Text reads, Kathleen Chayer, The Pinery Provincial Park, Park Ranger. Kathleen checks her net.
She says, YOU KNOW WHAT, LEO,
I THINK I DO.
SO THIS, LEO, IS A SNOWBERRY
CLEARWING MOTH,
AND IT'S THE VERY CLOSE COUSIN
OF THE HUMMINGBIRD CLEARWING
MOTH.
A moth rests on Kathleen’s finger.
Leo says, HOUSTEN WAS OUT ALL DAY
AND DIDN'T GET ONE.
THEY MUST BE PRETTY HARD
TO CATCH.
Kathleen says, THEY SURE CAN BE.
ABSOLUTELY.
SO THE MOTHS STAGE
OF THEIR LIFE-CYCLE
IS REALLY ONLY A COUPLE WEEKS
LONG.
THEY CAN BE A LITTLE BIT
CONFUSING
WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING
FOR THEM TOO,
BECAUSE THEY CAN BE EASILY
CONFUSED FOR A HUMMINGBIRD
OR EVEN A BEE.
Leo says, TELL US ABOUT THIS
WING-TASTIC POLLINATOR.
Kathleen keeps the moth in a clear, plastic box.
She says, I LIKE SO MANY THINGS
ABOUT THEM.
ITS WINGS ARE CLEAR AND THAT'S
REALLY DISTINCT FOR A MOTH.
USUALLY MOTHS HAVE SMALL SCALES
ALL OVER THEIR WINGS.
BUT YOU CAN SEE RIGHT THROUGH
THE WINGS OF THIS MOTH HERE.
AND IT HAD KIND OF, A CLUB
TOWARD THE END OF THE ANTENNA,
BUT THEY'RE VERY SMOOTH.
OFTEN MOTHS HAVE KIND
OF FEATHERY ANTENNA.
Leo says, THANKS FOR HELPING US OUT,
KATHLEEN.
IT'S SO EXCITING TO SEE ONE
IN PERSON.
POLLINHEAD ALERT,
IF YOU WANNA HELP OUT
THE CLEARWING MOTHS,
POLLINHEADS,
IT CAN BE AS SIMPLE AS SHOWING
SOME RESPECT
FOR THAT PESKY CATERPILLAR,
THAT MAY BE MUNCHING ON SOME
OF THE PLANTS IN YOUR GARDEN.
MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE
THAT CATERPILLARS
WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME
MOTHS OR BUTTERFLIES.
THE CATERPILLARS NEED
TO SNACK ON SOMETHING
TO TURN THEMSELVES INTO THESE
MAGNIFICENT POLLINATING
CREATURES.
SO, IF YOU CAN,
LEAVE THAT CATERPILLAR BE.
AND YOU COULD EVEN ENCOURAGE
THEM BY PLANTING
HONEYSUCKLE OR HAWTHORNS
IN YOUR GARDEN.
HAVING A SHARKS FIN DISGUISE
WAS FUN,
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT'S
EVEN MORE FUN,
BEING LEO THE CATFISH.
LATER POLLINATORS!
(Bright music plays)
Leo watches credits roll.
Directed by Karen Hawes.
Written by Kara Harun.
Created by Karen Hawes and Christopher Szarka.
Produced by Christopher Szarka and Raj Panikkar.
With Naomi Melvin as ‘Leo’ and Chloe Drayton and Housten Daghighi.
Produced in association with tvokids.
Fifth Ground Entertainment.
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