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Transcript: Don't Swat The Wasp!
(Bright music plays)
A child says, WHEE!
(Giggling)
Text reads, tvokids + Fifth Ground Entertainment Original.
A bee buzzes over a title that reads, Leo’s Pollinators.
Leo says, IT'S ME, LEO!
Leo is a red and blue fish that swims at the bottom of a lake in front of two monitors with the Leo’s Pollinators logo displayed.
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 AND SLITHERING AROUND,
WE'D ALL BE GOING HUNGRY,
EVEN ME!
A bee pollinates a pink flower. Text reads, ‘Nator Navigator.
Leo says, HOUSTEN AND CHLOE ARE IN THE
FIELD HELPING THE EXPERTS,
SO GRAB YOUR BOOTS
AND YOUR NET,
AND YOU CAN BE A POLLINHEAD
TOO.
The Leo’s Pollinators Explorer Club logo is displayed.
Leo says, THERE IS NO BUG TOO BIG,
TOO SMALL, OR TOO SCARY
FOR US TO HELP.
On one of Leo’s monitors, different pictures of bugs are displayed. Leo turns to the monitor.
Leo says, AND TODAY,
OUR FEATURED CREATURE
PROBABLY FALLS IN THE CATEGORY
OF TOO SCARY.
SO, PUT ON YOUR BRAVE PANTS,
POLLINHEADS.
Housten stands over text that reads, Brave. He wears an orange Leo’s Pollinators Explorer’s Club shirt.
Leo says, I'D PUT ON SOME, TOO,
BUT YOU KNOW,
FISH DON'T WEAR PANTS!
ALTHOUGH, PERHAPS I COULD
GET SOME CUSTOM MADE.
On Leo’s monitor, a person uses a sewing machine.
Leo says, HMM. SHOULD I GET JEANS MADE?
OOH! MAYBE SOME TRENDY
JEGGINGS.
A bug takes the place of a picture of jeans on the monitor.
Leo says, AH!
OH, GOODNESS!
OH, YOU GOT ME THIS TIME,
WASPY.
MAYBE I DO NEED
SOME BRAVE PANTS.
Text over a video of a wasp reads, Yellow Jacket Wasp.
Leo says, THE EVER-FEARED WASP
IS THE SUBJECT OF TODAY'S
MISSION.
THERE ARE OVER 150,000
SPECIES OF WASPS.
THOSE INCLUDE ONES
YOU'VE LIKELY HEARD OF,
LIKE YELLOW JACKETS
AND HORNETS.
IF IT'S NOT A BEE OR A FLY,
IT'S LIKELY IN THE WASP FAMILY.
The different types of winged bugs are displayed.
Leo says, YOU CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN A BEE AND A WASP
BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF WASPS
ARE SUPER SMOOTH,
AND BEES ARE USUALLY HAIRY.
ADULT WASPS EAT SUGAR,
AND LOTS OF IT!
THEY DON'T CARE IF IT COMES
FROM GOLDEN ROD,
OR ROSEBUSH, OR YOUR CAN
OF POP.
THIS MAKES THEM PRETTY GOOD
POLLINATORS.
A wasp climbs over a flower.
Leo says, AS THEY VISIT ALL SORTS
OF PLANTS FOR NECTAR,
THEY TRANSFER BITS OF POLLEN
AS THEY TRAVEL.
AND SURE, THEY STING!
BUT YOU KNOW,
LOTS OF THINGS DO.
WE JUST NEED TO UNDERSTAND
WHY WASPS DO WHAT THEY DO,
SO WE CAN LEARN TO LOVE 'EM!
OR YOU KNOW,
AT LEAST LIKE THEM.
EVEN A LITTLE BIT.
HOUSTEN AND CHLOE
ARE HEADED TO OTTAWA
TO MEET UP WITH
DR. ROB LONGAIR.
Rob has white hair and a beard. He wears a red shirt and a straw hat. He looks at a flower with Chloe and Housten. Chloe wears a blue Explorer’s Clubs shirt. Housten wears a green Explorer’s Club shirt.
Leo says, A SCIENTIST WHO HAS SPENT
HIS CAREER
TEACHING BIODIVERSITY
AND STUDYING WASPS.
IF YOU WANNA GET UP CLOSE
AND PERSONAL WITH THE WASPS,
THERE'S ONE SURE-FIRE WAY
TO GET THEM TO COME AROUND:
WHO'S HUNGRY?
(Cheerful music plays)
Rob cooks hotdogs on a barbeque. Housten and Chloe have a picnic with fruits and lemonade. Circuits chirp in the distance. Housten and Chloe put twirly straws and umbrellas in their lemonade. They cheers.
Housten says, THIS IS A POLLINHEADS LIFE.
He and Chloe drink their lemonade.
(Record scratching)
A wasp rests on hotdog bun. Housten looks nervous.
Rob says, DON'T PANIC.
Text reads, Dr. Rob Longair, Entomologist.
Rob says, THEY'RE NOT HERE FOR YOU,
THEY'RE HERE FOR THE FOOD.
THOSE ARE PROBABLY
YELLOW JACKETS.
THEY'RE THE ONES THAT YOU SEE
SHOW UP AT PICNICS MOST OFTEN.
BUT THE FOOD ISN'T FOR THEM.
THE ADULTS, THEY LIKE SWEET
THINGS
LIKE LEMONADE OR POP.
THE MEAT IS TO TAKE
BACK TO THEIR NEST,
SO THAT THEY CAN FEED
THE BABIES THAT ARE IN THERE.
Housten asks, IS THAT WHY THEY MIGHT STING
YOU IF YOU SWAT THEM AWAY?
Rob says, YEAH, AND EVEN THEN,
THEY HARDLY EVER STING YOU
IF YOU JUST PUSH THEM AWAY.
IT'S ONLY IF YOU GRAB THEM,
OR IF YOU'RE BOTHERING
THEIR NEST
THAT THEY TEND TO TRY
AND DO THAT
BECAUSE THEY WANNA DEFEND
THE BABIES THAT ARE INSIDE.
Wasps swarm a nest.
Rob says, SO, IF YOU DO GET STUNG,
YOU CAN ALWAYS WASH THE AREA
WITH SOAP AND WATER,
AND MAYBE ADD A LITTLE BIT
OF BAKING SODA TO IT,
TO HELP KEEP THE SWELLING DOWN.
Chloe says, BUT IF YOU DON'T
THREATEN THE WASPS,
THEY PROBABLY WON'T
STING YOU, RIGHT?
Rob says, ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
THEY HARDLY EVER STING WHEN
THEY'RE OUT FORAGING FOR FOOD.
AND THAT'S WHY SWATTING
IS NEVER THE WAY TO GO.
A poster reads, Don’t Swat the Wasp!!
Rob says, DON'T FORGET, THERE ARE OTHER
THINGS THAT COULD SHOW UP
AT YOUR PICNIC AS WELL.
THINGS LIKE FLIES,
CATERPILLARS, AND SPIDERS.
Pictures of a fly, caterpillar and spider are displayed.
Chloe says, I LOVE ALL
LIVING THINGS,
BUT SPIDERS GIVE ME THE CREEPS.
Housten says, SAME.
Rob says, WELL, YOU SHOULD
THANK WASPS THEN,
BECAUSE THEY'RE ACTING
IN THE ECOSYSTEM,
FROM A HUMAN PERSPECTIVE,
LIKE BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS
HUNTING DOWN ALL THE OTHER
INSECTS
THAT WE DON'T REALLY WANT
TO EAT OUR CROPS,
OR DO OTHER THINGS
THAT WE DON'T LIKE.
Leo watches bugs on the monitor.
Leo says, WHOA.
Chloe says, I HAD NO IDEA THAT WASPS
DID ANYTHING IN THE ECOSYSTEM.
Rob says, NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW
THAT WASPS ARE MORE THAN
JUST THE YELLOW JACKETS
THAT SHOW UP AT YOUR PICNIC.
THOSE ARE SOCIAL WASPS
THAT LIVE IN COLONIES
AND IN THOSE PAPER NESTS
THAT YOU SEE,
BUT THERE ARE LOTS OF OTHER
TYPES OF WASPS, AS WELL.
SOME OF THE ONES THAT WE CALL
PREDATORY WASPS
THAT ARE REALLY INTERESTING,
IN FACT, THEY'RE MY FAVOURITES.
Pictures of a Great Golden Digger wasp, an Aphid wasp, a Cuckoo wasp and a Square Headed wasp are displayed.
Rob adds, THEY LIVE BY THEMSELVES,
THEY MAKE THEIR OWN NESTS,
AND THEY DON'T BOTHER PEOPLE
AT ALL.
COME ON! I'LL SHOW YOU!
Rob follows Chloe and Housten through a forest. Chloe looks at a yellow flowers.
She says, IS THAT ONE...
Housten takes a look at the flowers.
He says, I'M GONNA GUESS,
IS THAT ONE A YELLOW JACKET?
Rob says, YOU'RE RIGHT.
THERE'S LOTS OF INSECTS AROUND
BECAUSE THE GOLDENROD
IS A GREAT PLACE FOR THEM
TO GET NECTAR.
Housten says, I BET THE WASPS
POLLINATE A LOT OF IT.
Rob says, SURE, THEY HELP POLLINATE,
BUT THEY'RE ACTUALLY HERE
TO CATCH PREY.
THE WASPS WILL COME IN,
THEY'LL SEE SOMETHING
THEY WANT,
THEY'LL GO AND GRAB IT
AND THEY'LL STING IT.
Chloe asks, WHAT DO THEY DO ONCE THEY
CATCH THEIR PREY?
Rob says, SO, THEY TAKE IT BACK
TO THEIR NEST.
He, Chloe and Housten hike through tall grass.
(Soft music plays)
A wasp crawls on the ground.
Rob says, SO, THIS YEAR
I'VE HAD FLY HUNTERS…
A picture of a Square Headed wasp is displayed.
Rob adds, …CATERPILLAR HUNTERS…
A picture of a Red Potter wasp is displayed.
Rob adds, …STINK BUG HUNTERS…
A picture of a Sand Wasp is displayed.
Rob adds, …BEE WOLVES.
A picture of a Bee Wolf wasp is displayed.
Rob says, THEY BRING THEIR PREY BACK FROM
WHEREVER THEY'VE CAUGHT IT,
MAYBE ON THE GOLDENROD,
AND THEN THEY COME IN AND
THEY HAVE TO FIND THEIR NEST.
Chloe says, WHAT? I DON'T SEE ANY NESTS.
She and Housten look around.
Rob says, WELL, THEY'RE NOT OBVIOUS
BECAUSE MOST OF THEM
CLOSE THE ENTRANCE
TO THEIR NEST,
WHICH IS A BURROW IN THE
GROUND, WHEN THEY LEAVE.
An arrow points to a burrow in the ground with text that reads, Burrow Entrance.
Rob says, SO THAT NOTHING ELSE CAN GET IN
AND TAKE THE THINGS
THAT THEY'VE FOUND.
AND IN FACT, THEY EVEN MAKE
FAKE BURROWS.
SO, THEY'LL LEAVE A HOLE OPEN
THAT MAKES THINGS THINK
AH, IT'S A NEST HERE,
BUT THEY END UP
WITH NOTHING IN IT.
Chloe says, I THINK IT'S SO SMART HOW
THEY CREATE AN EXTRA HOME
SO THAT THEY CAN TRICK
PREDATORS INTO THINKING
THAT THAT'S WHERE THEY ARE.
Rob says, OH YEAH, LIFE ISN'T
THAT EASY FOR THEM.
THEY'VE GOTTA WORRY ABOUT
LITTLE FLIES
THAT WILL COME AND LAY THEIR
EGGS IN THEIR NEST.
EVEN WHEN THEY'RE OUT
CATCHING PREY THEMSELVES,
THERE ARE THINGS HUNTING THEM
ON THE GOLDENROD.
SO, JUST THE SAME WAY
AS THEY'RE FEEDING
ON THESE OTHER INSECTS,
THERE ARE OTHER INSECTS
THAT ARE FEEDING ON THEM, TOO.
A picture of a bug is displayed with text that reads, Asilidae known as robber flies are wasp hunters.
Housten says, I WOULD HAVE NEVER THOUGHT
THAT FLIES WOULD BE
A PROBLEM FOR WASPS.
Rob says, YEAH, I THINK ALMOST ANYTHING
CAN BE A PROBLEM FOR WASPS,
JUST LIKE PEOPLE.
Chloe says, EVERYONE THINKS THAT WASPS
ARE SO MEAN,
BUT THEY HAVE THEIR OWN
PROBLEMS.
I WISH WE COULD HELP THEM OUT.
Rob says, WELL, ACTUALLY WE CAN!
A wasp flies off a yellow flower. Rob, Housten and Chloe continue their walk.
(Cheerful music plays)
Rob stands behind a table with Housten and Chloe.
Rob says, THIS IS EASY TO DO AT HOME,
AND IT GIVES THE PREDATORY
WASPS A PLACE TO NEST.
BUT WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL.
SO, SAFETY GLASSES.
He hands Chloe and Housten safety glasses.
He says, PAIR FOR ME.
Rob slides on safety glasses. Housten and Chloe stand beside him wearing their safety glasses.
Rob says, LET'S DRILL A HOLE.
He drills a hole into a small piece of wood.
Housten says, WHOA!
Leo says, LOOKIN' GOOD, POLLINHEADS!
SAFETY GEAR IS ALWAYS IN STYLE.
Rob says, CHECK THAT ONE OUT.
Housten and Chloe say, WHOA!
Housten giggles. Chloe looks in the hole drilled into the small piece of wood.
Rob says, NOW, WHEN A WASP COMES ALONG…
Housten looks in the hole.
He says, WHOA.
Rob says, …IT'S GOING TO SEE THAT HOLE
AND IT'S GONNA THINK,
"THIS IS PERFECT FOR A NEST."
AND SO, SHE'LL GO IN,
AND SHE'LL LAY AN EGG,
AND THEN, SHE'S GONNA GO OUT
AND HUNT.
AND SHE'S GOING TO STING THEM
AND PARALYZE THEM,
AND BRING THEM BACK,
STUFF THEM IN WITH THE EGG
THAT SHE LAID,
AND THEN, SHE'S GOING TO MAKE
A WALL TO CLOSE IT OFF.
NOW, WE CAN'T SEE IT
IN THERE, RIGHT?
Chloe says, NO.
Rob says, BUT WE CAN MAKE THESE TYPES
OF OBSERVATION NESTS
THAT LOOKS LIKE THIS.
He hands Chloe another nest, but with a window as one of the nest walls.
Housten says, WHOA!
Rob says, SO, YOU CAN SEE ALL THOSE
MUD WALLS THAT SHE'S MADE
TO SEPARATE OUT HER BABIES'
BEDROOMS,
IF YOU WANNA THINK OF IT
THAT WAY.
Chloe gasps. She looks amazed.
Housten says, OH!
Rob says, AND SHE'LL CLOSE
THAT OFF AT THE END,
AND SHE'LL FLY AWAY
AND LEAVE THEM,
TO EAT THE FOOD THAT
SHE PUT IN THERE FOR THEM,
AND TO GROW UP INTO OTHER
ADULT WASPS.
SO, YOU GUYS CAN MAKE SOME
OF THESE OBSERVATION HIVES.
WITH THE STUFF
THAT WE'VE GOT HERE.
Supplies to make an observation hive are on the table.
Housten says, I'LL GET THE
PLEXIGLAS.
Chloe says, OKAY, AND I'LL DO THE TAPE.
She and Housten build an observation hive together. Housten holds a piece of plexiglass over a piece of drilled wood. Chloe tapes the plexiglass to the wood.
Rob says, PERFECT LENGTH.
Housten says, GOOD JOB, CHLOE.
Rob says, WHEN THE WASP COMES ALONG
AND USES THAT AS A NEST,
YOU'LL BE ABLE TO TAKE
A LOOK INSIDE
AND SEE WHAT SHE'S DOING.
SO, THIS IS ONE THAT I DRILLED
EARLIER IN THE SUMMER
AND I PUT OUT,
AND IT WAS USED BY A WASP.
He wears protective gloves as he breaks open a used observation hive.
(Wood snapping)
Rob says, OKAY.
He pries apart the hive.
Rob says, AND LOOK WHAT WE HAVE HERE,
IT'S LIKE CHRISTMAS!
Chloe giggles. Housten laughs.
He says, WHOA!
Rob says, SO, THERE ARE THE WASPS
THAT HAVE ALREADY FED ON
ALL THEIR CATERPILLARS
THAT THE MOTHER LEFT FOR THEM.
Arrows point to a bug in the nest with text that reads, Caterpillar. Another points to a bug with text that reads, Baby Wasp (Larvae).
Rob says, AND THEY'RE READY TO SPEND
THE WINTER IN HERE
UNTIL NEXT YEAR COMES AROUND
AND THEY TURN INTO ADULTS
AND THEY GO OUT AND FLY AROUND
THEMSELVES.
Housten says, I'VE NEVER SEEN
A BABY WASP BEFORE.
Chloe says, THIS IS AWESOME.
LEO IS RIGHT.
WE SHOULD NEVER JUDGE A BUG
BY ITS STINGER.
Leo says, I'M WISE. AREN'T I?
A wasp buzzes over a flower.
Housten says, IT'S WEIRD
THAT MORE PEOPLE
DON'T KNOW HOW COOL WASPS ARE.
Rob says, YEAH, IT'S A REAL PROBLEM
BECAUSE THEN,
IF THEY THINK THEY'RE NOTHING
BUT PICNIC PESTS,
ALL THEY WANNA DO IS SPRAY THEM
AND KILL THEM AND GET RID
OF THEM.
AND WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE
OUT THERE
HUNTING FOR OTHER INSECTS,
HELPING CONTROL THE
POPULATIONS, AND BESIDES,
THEY'VE GOT SOME REALLY
INTERESTING BEHAVIOURS
THEMSELVES.
Chloe says, WE'LL BE SURE TO SPREAD
THE WORD
THAT THEY'RE SO MUCH MORE
THAN JUST PICNIC RUINERS.
Rob says, OH, THAT'D BE GREAT, CHLOE.
Housten says, YEAH, DON'T WORRY, ROB,
WE WON'T LET YOU,
OR THE WASPS, DOWN.
Rob says, FANTASTIC.
Chloe and Housten giggle.
Chloe says, LET'S "HIGH FLY"
TO MAKE IT OFFICIAL.
She, Housten and Rob wiggle their fingers then raise their hands above their heads.
Together they say, HIGH FLY!
Housten and Chloe giggle.
Leo says, THAT'S WHAT I'M
TALKIN' ABOUT!
Leo watches Rob, Chloe and Housten on a monitor.
Leo says, POLLINHEADS AND SCIENTISTS
COMING TOGETHER
AND BLASTING THE STEREOTYPE
OF THE EVIL WASP
AND FINDING A WAY TO LOVE
EVERY CREATURE ON OUR PLANET.
AND YOU SHOULD BE EXCITED, TOO!
A wasp buzzes over a flower.
Leo says, POLLINHEADS ALERT!
A flower reads, PollinHeads Alert!
Leo says, YOU CAN DO EXACTLY WHAT THE
POLLINHEADS DID WITH ROB.
DRILL DIFFERENT-SIZED HOLES
INTO LOGS
SO THE WASPS HAVE A SAFE PLACE
TO NEST.
ALSO, TRY TO AVOID USING MULCH
IN YOUR GARDEN
OR RAKING TOO MUCH.
THOSE LEAVES ARE PRIME
NEST-BUILDING MATERIAL.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY,
SPREAD THE WORD!
THE MORE PEOPLE LEARN
ABOUT WASPS,
THE LESS LIKELY THEY ARE
TO HURT THEM
WHEN THEY COME BUZZING AROUND.
IT'S UP TO US TO TELL PEOPLE
TO STOP THE SWAT!
A poster reads, Don’t Swat The Wasp! A wasp on the post flies out from beneath a fly swatter.
Leo says, OH, HEY THERE, FRIEND,
THE POLLINHEADS HAVE GOT YOUR
BACK, BUDDY.
Leo’s tongue clicks.
(Bright music plays)
Leo watches credits roll on a monitor.
Directed by Kara Harun.
Written by Melissa Peters.
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!
(Giggling)
Text reads, tvokids + Fifth Ground Entertainment Original.
A bee buzzes over a title that reads, Leo’s Pollinators.
Leo says, IT'S ME, LEO!
Leo is a red and blue fish that swims at the bottom of a lake in front of two monitors with the Leo’s Pollinators logo displayed.
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 AND SLITHERING AROUND,
WE'D ALL BE GOING HUNGRY,
EVEN ME!
A bee pollinates a pink flower. Text reads, ‘Nator Navigator.
Leo says, HOUSTEN AND CHLOE ARE IN THE
FIELD HELPING THE EXPERTS,
SO GRAB YOUR BOOTS
AND YOUR NET,
AND YOU CAN BE A POLLINHEAD
TOO.
The Leo’s Pollinators Explorer Club logo is displayed.
Leo says, THERE IS NO BUG TOO BIG,
TOO SMALL, OR TOO SCARY
FOR US TO HELP.
On one of Leo’s monitors, different pictures of bugs are displayed. Leo turns to the monitor.
Leo says, AND TODAY,
OUR FEATURED CREATURE
PROBABLY FALLS IN THE CATEGORY
OF TOO SCARY.
SO, PUT ON YOUR BRAVE PANTS,
POLLINHEADS.
Housten stands over text that reads, Brave. He wears an orange Leo’s Pollinators Explorer’s Club shirt.
Leo says, I'D PUT ON SOME, TOO,
BUT YOU KNOW,
FISH DON'T WEAR PANTS!
ALTHOUGH, PERHAPS I COULD
GET SOME CUSTOM MADE.
On Leo’s monitor, a person uses a sewing machine.
Leo says, HMM. SHOULD I GET JEANS MADE?
OOH! MAYBE SOME TRENDY
JEGGINGS.
A bug takes the place of a picture of jeans on the monitor.
Leo says, AH!
OH, GOODNESS!
OH, YOU GOT ME THIS TIME,
WASPY.
MAYBE I DO NEED
SOME BRAVE PANTS.
Text over a video of a wasp reads, Yellow Jacket Wasp.
Leo says, THE EVER-FEARED WASP
IS THE SUBJECT OF TODAY'S
MISSION.
THERE ARE OVER 150,000
SPECIES OF WASPS.
THOSE INCLUDE ONES
YOU'VE LIKELY HEARD OF,
LIKE YELLOW JACKETS
AND HORNETS.
IF IT'S NOT A BEE OR A FLY,
IT'S LIKELY IN THE WASP FAMILY.
The different types of winged bugs are displayed.
Leo says, YOU CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN A BEE AND A WASP
BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF WASPS
ARE SUPER SMOOTH,
AND BEES ARE USUALLY HAIRY.
ADULT WASPS EAT SUGAR,
AND LOTS OF IT!
THEY DON'T CARE IF IT COMES
FROM GOLDEN ROD,
OR ROSEBUSH, OR YOUR CAN
OF POP.
THIS MAKES THEM PRETTY GOOD
POLLINATORS.
A wasp climbs over a flower.
Leo says, AS THEY VISIT ALL SORTS
OF PLANTS FOR NECTAR,
THEY TRANSFER BITS OF POLLEN
AS THEY TRAVEL.
AND SURE, THEY STING!
BUT YOU KNOW,
LOTS OF THINGS DO.
WE JUST NEED TO UNDERSTAND
WHY WASPS DO WHAT THEY DO,
SO WE CAN LEARN TO LOVE 'EM!
OR YOU KNOW,
AT LEAST LIKE THEM.
EVEN A LITTLE BIT.
HOUSTEN AND CHLOE
ARE HEADED TO OTTAWA
TO MEET UP WITH
DR. ROB LONGAIR.
Rob has white hair and a beard. He wears a red shirt and a straw hat. He looks at a flower with Chloe and Housten. Chloe wears a blue Explorer’s Clubs shirt. Housten wears a green Explorer’s Club shirt.
Leo says, A SCIENTIST WHO HAS SPENT
HIS CAREER
TEACHING BIODIVERSITY
AND STUDYING WASPS.
IF YOU WANNA GET UP CLOSE
AND PERSONAL WITH THE WASPS,
THERE'S ONE SURE-FIRE WAY
TO GET THEM TO COME AROUND:
WHO'S HUNGRY?
(Cheerful music plays)
Rob cooks hotdogs on a barbeque. Housten and Chloe have a picnic with fruits and lemonade. Circuits chirp in the distance. Housten and Chloe put twirly straws and umbrellas in their lemonade. They cheers.
Housten says, THIS IS A POLLINHEADS LIFE.
He and Chloe drink their lemonade.
(Record scratching)
A wasp rests on hotdog bun. Housten looks nervous.
Rob says, DON'T PANIC.
Text reads, Dr. Rob Longair, Entomologist.
Rob says, THEY'RE NOT HERE FOR YOU,
THEY'RE HERE FOR THE FOOD.
THOSE ARE PROBABLY
YELLOW JACKETS.
THEY'RE THE ONES THAT YOU SEE
SHOW UP AT PICNICS MOST OFTEN.
BUT THE FOOD ISN'T FOR THEM.
THE ADULTS, THEY LIKE SWEET
THINGS
LIKE LEMONADE OR POP.
THE MEAT IS TO TAKE
BACK TO THEIR NEST,
SO THAT THEY CAN FEED
THE BABIES THAT ARE IN THERE.
Housten asks, IS THAT WHY THEY MIGHT STING
YOU IF YOU SWAT THEM AWAY?
Rob says, YEAH, AND EVEN THEN,
THEY HARDLY EVER STING YOU
IF YOU JUST PUSH THEM AWAY.
IT'S ONLY IF YOU GRAB THEM,
OR IF YOU'RE BOTHERING
THEIR NEST
THAT THEY TEND TO TRY
AND DO THAT
BECAUSE THEY WANNA DEFEND
THE BABIES THAT ARE INSIDE.
Wasps swarm a nest.
Rob says, SO, IF YOU DO GET STUNG,
YOU CAN ALWAYS WASH THE AREA
WITH SOAP AND WATER,
AND MAYBE ADD A LITTLE BIT
OF BAKING SODA TO IT,
TO HELP KEEP THE SWELLING DOWN.
Chloe says, BUT IF YOU DON'T
THREATEN THE WASPS,
THEY PROBABLY WON'T
STING YOU, RIGHT?
Rob says, ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
THEY HARDLY EVER STING WHEN
THEY'RE OUT FORAGING FOR FOOD.
AND THAT'S WHY SWATTING
IS NEVER THE WAY TO GO.
A poster reads, Don’t Swat the Wasp!!
Rob says, DON'T FORGET, THERE ARE OTHER
THINGS THAT COULD SHOW UP
AT YOUR PICNIC AS WELL.
THINGS LIKE FLIES,
CATERPILLARS, AND SPIDERS.
Pictures of a fly, caterpillar and spider are displayed.
Chloe says, I LOVE ALL
LIVING THINGS,
BUT SPIDERS GIVE ME THE CREEPS.
Housten says, SAME.
Rob says, WELL, YOU SHOULD
THANK WASPS THEN,
BECAUSE THEY'RE ACTING
IN THE ECOSYSTEM,
FROM A HUMAN PERSPECTIVE,
LIKE BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS
HUNTING DOWN ALL THE OTHER
INSECTS
THAT WE DON'T REALLY WANT
TO EAT OUR CROPS,
OR DO OTHER THINGS
THAT WE DON'T LIKE.
Leo watches bugs on the monitor.
Leo says, WHOA.
Chloe says, I HAD NO IDEA THAT WASPS
DID ANYTHING IN THE ECOSYSTEM.
Rob says, NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW
THAT WASPS ARE MORE THAN
JUST THE YELLOW JACKETS
THAT SHOW UP AT YOUR PICNIC.
THOSE ARE SOCIAL WASPS
THAT LIVE IN COLONIES
AND IN THOSE PAPER NESTS
THAT YOU SEE,
BUT THERE ARE LOTS OF OTHER
TYPES OF WASPS, AS WELL.
SOME OF THE ONES THAT WE CALL
PREDATORY WASPS
THAT ARE REALLY INTERESTING,
IN FACT, THEY'RE MY FAVOURITES.
Pictures of a Great Golden Digger wasp, an Aphid wasp, a Cuckoo wasp and a Square Headed wasp are displayed.
Rob adds, THEY LIVE BY THEMSELVES,
THEY MAKE THEIR OWN NESTS,
AND THEY DON'T BOTHER PEOPLE
AT ALL.
COME ON! I'LL SHOW YOU!
Rob follows Chloe and Housten through a forest. Chloe looks at a yellow flowers.
She says, IS THAT ONE...
Housten takes a look at the flowers.
He says, I'M GONNA GUESS,
IS THAT ONE A YELLOW JACKET?
Rob says, YOU'RE RIGHT.
THERE'S LOTS OF INSECTS AROUND
BECAUSE THE GOLDENROD
IS A GREAT PLACE FOR THEM
TO GET NECTAR.
Housten says, I BET THE WASPS
POLLINATE A LOT OF IT.
Rob says, SURE, THEY HELP POLLINATE,
BUT THEY'RE ACTUALLY HERE
TO CATCH PREY.
THE WASPS WILL COME IN,
THEY'LL SEE SOMETHING
THEY WANT,
THEY'LL GO AND GRAB IT
AND THEY'LL STING IT.
Chloe asks, WHAT DO THEY DO ONCE THEY
CATCH THEIR PREY?
Rob says, SO, THEY TAKE IT BACK
TO THEIR NEST.
He, Chloe and Housten hike through tall grass.
(Soft music plays)
A wasp crawls on the ground.
Rob says, SO, THIS YEAR
I'VE HAD FLY HUNTERS…
A picture of a Square Headed wasp is displayed.
Rob adds, …CATERPILLAR HUNTERS…
A picture of a Red Potter wasp is displayed.
Rob adds, …STINK BUG HUNTERS…
A picture of a Sand Wasp is displayed.
Rob adds, …BEE WOLVES.
A picture of a Bee Wolf wasp is displayed.
Rob says, THEY BRING THEIR PREY BACK FROM
WHEREVER THEY'VE CAUGHT IT,
MAYBE ON THE GOLDENROD,
AND THEN THEY COME IN AND
THEY HAVE TO FIND THEIR NEST.
Chloe says, WHAT? I DON'T SEE ANY NESTS.
She and Housten look around.
Rob says, WELL, THEY'RE NOT OBVIOUS
BECAUSE MOST OF THEM
CLOSE THE ENTRANCE
TO THEIR NEST,
WHICH IS A BURROW IN THE
GROUND, WHEN THEY LEAVE.
An arrow points to a burrow in the ground with text that reads, Burrow Entrance.
Rob says, SO THAT NOTHING ELSE CAN GET IN
AND TAKE THE THINGS
THAT THEY'VE FOUND.
AND IN FACT, THEY EVEN MAKE
FAKE BURROWS.
SO, THEY'LL LEAVE A HOLE OPEN
THAT MAKES THINGS THINK
AH, IT'S A NEST HERE,
BUT THEY END UP
WITH NOTHING IN IT.
Chloe says, I THINK IT'S SO SMART HOW
THEY CREATE AN EXTRA HOME
SO THAT THEY CAN TRICK
PREDATORS INTO THINKING
THAT THAT'S WHERE THEY ARE.
Rob says, OH YEAH, LIFE ISN'T
THAT EASY FOR THEM.
THEY'VE GOTTA WORRY ABOUT
LITTLE FLIES
THAT WILL COME AND LAY THEIR
EGGS IN THEIR NEST.
EVEN WHEN THEY'RE OUT
CATCHING PREY THEMSELVES,
THERE ARE THINGS HUNTING THEM
ON THE GOLDENROD.
SO, JUST THE SAME WAY
AS THEY'RE FEEDING
ON THESE OTHER INSECTS,
THERE ARE OTHER INSECTS
THAT ARE FEEDING ON THEM, TOO.
A picture of a bug is displayed with text that reads, Asilidae known as robber flies are wasp hunters.
Housten says, I WOULD HAVE NEVER THOUGHT
THAT FLIES WOULD BE
A PROBLEM FOR WASPS.
Rob says, YEAH, I THINK ALMOST ANYTHING
CAN BE A PROBLEM FOR WASPS,
JUST LIKE PEOPLE.
Chloe says, EVERYONE THINKS THAT WASPS
ARE SO MEAN,
BUT THEY HAVE THEIR OWN
PROBLEMS.
I WISH WE COULD HELP THEM OUT.
Rob says, WELL, ACTUALLY WE CAN!
A wasp flies off a yellow flower. Rob, Housten and Chloe continue their walk.
(Cheerful music plays)
Rob stands behind a table with Housten and Chloe.
Rob says, THIS IS EASY TO DO AT HOME,
AND IT GIVES THE PREDATORY
WASPS A PLACE TO NEST.
BUT WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL.
SO, SAFETY GLASSES.
He hands Chloe and Housten safety glasses.
He says, PAIR FOR ME.
Rob slides on safety glasses. Housten and Chloe stand beside him wearing their safety glasses.
Rob says, LET'S DRILL A HOLE.
He drills a hole into a small piece of wood.
Housten says, WHOA!
Leo says, LOOKIN' GOOD, POLLINHEADS!
SAFETY GEAR IS ALWAYS IN STYLE.
Rob says, CHECK THAT ONE OUT.
Housten and Chloe say, WHOA!
Housten giggles. Chloe looks in the hole drilled into the small piece of wood.
Rob says, NOW, WHEN A WASP COMES ALONG…
Housten looks in the hole.
He says, WHOA.
Rob says, …IT'S GOING TO SEE THAT HOLE
AND IT'S GONNA THINK,
"THIS IS PERFECT FOR A NEST."
AND SO, SHE'LL GO IN,
AND SHE'LL LAY AN EGG,
AND THEN, SHE'S GONNA GO OUT
AND HUNT.
AND SHE'S GOING TO STING THEM
AND PARALYZE THEM,
AND BRING THEM BACK,
STUFF THEM IN WITH THE EGG
THAT SHE LAID,
AND THEN, SHE'S GOING TO MAKE
A WALL TO CLOSE IT OFF.
NOW, WE CAN'T SEE IT
IN THERE, RIGHT?
Chloe says, NO.
Rob says, BUT WE CAN MAKE THESE TYPES
OF OBSERVATION NESTS
THAT LOOKS LIKE THIS.
He hands Chloe another nest, but with a window as one of the nest walls.
Housten says, WHOA!
Rob says, SO, YOU CAN SEE ALL THOSE
MUD WALLS THAT SHE'S MADE
TO SEPARATE OUT HER BABIES'
BEDROOMS,
IF YOU WANNA THINK OF IT
THAT WAY.
Chloe gasps. She looks amazed.
Housten says, OH!
Rob says, AND SHE'LL CLOSE
THAT OFF AT THE END,
AND SHE'LL FLY AWAY
AND LEAVE THEM,
TO EAT THE FOOD THAT
SHE PUT IN THERE FOR THEM,
AND TO GROW UP INTO OTHER
ADULT WASPS.
SO, YOU GUYS CAN MAKE SOME
OF THESE OBSERVATION HIVES.
WITH THE STUFF
THAT WE'VE GOT HERE.
Supplies to make an observation hive are on the table.
Housten says, I'LL GET THE
PLEXIGLAS.
Chloe says, OKAY, AND I'LL DO THE TAPE.
She and Housten build an observation hive together. Housten holds a piece of plexiglass over a piece of drilled wood. Chloe tapes the plexiglass to the wood.
Rob says, PERFECT LENGTH.
Housten says, GOOD JOB, CHLOE.
Rob says, WHEN THE WASP COMES ALONG
AND USES THAT AS A NEST,
YOU'LL BE ABLE TO TAKE
A LOOK INSIDE
AND SEE WHAT SHE'S DOING.
SO, THIS IS ONE THAT I DRILLED
EARLIER IN THE SUMMER
AND I PUT OUT,
AND IT WAS USED BY A WASP.
He wears protective gloves as he breaks open a used observation hive.
(Wood snapping)
Rob says, OKAY.
He pries apart the hive.
Rob says, AND LOOK WHAT WE HAVE HERE,
IT'S LIKE CHRISTMAS!
Chloe giggles. Housten laughs.
He says, WHOA!
Rob says, SO, THERE ARE THE WASPS
THAT HAVE ALREADY FED ON
ALL THEIR CATERPILLARS
THAT THE MOTHER LEFT FOR THEM.
Arrows point to a bug in the nest with text that reads, Caterpillar. Another points to a bug with text that reads, Baby Wasp (Larvae).
Rob says, AND THEY'RE READY TO SPEND
THE WINTER IN HERE
UNTIL NEXT YEAR COMES AROUND
AND THEY TURN INTO ADULTS
AND THEY GO OUT AND FLY AROUND
THEMSELVES.
Housten says, I'VE NEVER SEEN
A BABY WASP BEFORE.
Chloe says, THIS IS AWESOME.
LEO IS RIGHT.
WE SHOULD NEVER JUDGE A BUG
BY ITS STINGER.
Leo says, I'M WISE. AREN'T I?
A wasp buzzes over a flower.
Housten says, IT'S WEIRD
THAT MORE PEOPLE
DON'T KNOW HOW COOL WASPS ARE.
Rob says, YEAH, IT'S A REAL PROBLEM
BECAUSE THEN,
IF THEY THINK THEY'RE NOTHING
BUT PICNIC PESTS,
ALL THEY WANNA DO IS SPRAY THEM
AND KILL THEM AND GET RID
OF THEM.
AND WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE
OUT THERE
HUNTING FOR OTHER INSECTS,
HELPING CONTROL THE
POPULATIONS, AND BESIDES,
THEY'VE GOT SOME REALLY
INTERESTING BEHAVIOURS
THEMSELVES.
Chloe says, WE'LL BE SURE TO SPREAD
THE WORD
THAT THEY'RE SO MUCH MORE
THAN JUST PICNIC RUINERS.
Rob says, OH, THAT'D BE GREAT, CHLOE.
Housten says, YEAH, DON'T WORRY, ROB,
WE WON'T LET YOU,
OR THE WASPS, DOWN.
Rob says, FANTASTIC.
Chloe and Housten giggle.
Chloe says, LET'S "HIGH FLY"
TO MAKE IT OFFICIAL.
She, Housten and Rob wiggle their fingers then raise their hands above their heads.
Together they say, HIGH FLY!
Housten and Chloe giggle.
Leo says, THAT'S WHAT I'M
TALKIN' ABOUT!
Leo watches Rob, Chloe and Housten on a monitor.
Leo says, POLLINHEADS AND SCIENTISTS
COMING TOGETHER
AND BLASTING THE STEREOTYPE
OF THE EVIL WASP
AND FINDING A WAY TO LOVE
EVERY CREATURE ON OUR PLANET.
AND YOU SHOULD BE EXCITED, TOO!
A wasp buzzes over a flower.
Leo says, POLLINHEADS ALERT!
A flower reads, PollinHeads Alert!
Leo says, YOU CAN DO EXACTLY WHAT THE
POLLINHEADS DID WITH ROB.
DRILL DIFFERENT-SIZED HOLES
INTO LOGS
SO THE WASPS HAVE A SAFE PLACE
TO NEST.
ALSO, TRY TO AVOID USING MULCH
IN YOUR GARDEN
OR RAKING TOO MUCH.
THOSE LEAVES ARE PRIME
NEST-BUILDING MATERIAL.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY,
SPREAD THE WORD!
THE MORE PEOPLE LEARN
ABOUT WASPS,
THE LESS LIKELY THEY ARE
TO HURT THEM
WHEN THEY COME BUZZING AROUND.
IT'S UP TO US TO TELL PEOPLE
TO STOP THE SWAT!
A poster reads, Don’t Swat The Wasp! A wasp on the post flies out from beneath a fly swatter.
Leo says, OH, HEY THERE, FRIEND,
THE POLLINHEADS HAVE GOT YOUR
BACK, BUDDY.
Leo’s tongue clicks.
(Bright music plays)
Leo watches credits roll on a monitor.
Directed by Kara Harun.
Written by Melissa Peters.
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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