Mantises may be some of the most out-of-this-world-looking critters on Earth, but they’re uniquely adapted to life on this planet. These incredible hunters have repeatedly evolved into “ecomorphs”—groups that aren’t closely related, but share amazing adaptations to similar habitats. Mantis expert and grad student Lohit Garikipati says this happens so consistently in their history that “it’s almost baffling.” These dazzling displays of convergence may have something to tell us about evolution… Our host, entomologist Jessica Ware, Ph.D., visits Lohit at the Towson University Mantis Lab to see how researchers are using high-speed infrared cameras to track the movements of mantis prey capture. The similarities (and differences) in hunting techniques can help reveal how environments shape the animals that live in them. #mantis #evolution #ecomorph #ethology #insectsukraine Image: Stagmomantis sp., © Lohit Garikipati ***** PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: http://to.pbs.org/DonateTerra ***** Subscribe to PBS Terra so you never miss an episode! https://bit.ly/3mOfd77 And keep up with PBS Terra on: Facebook: https://facebook.com/pbsdigitalstudios Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pbsterra Instagram: https://instagram.com/pbsterra

In pavement cracks, roadside medians, and parking lots, there are incredible miniature civilizations booming within our concrete jungles: ants! We don’t often think of urban areas as having “ecologies” but Amy Savage, Ph.D. studies the amazing diversity of ants making their way in the city. Their combined efforts make our urban landscapes greener places to live, but their newfound love of carbs is also changing things for them... Our host and museum curator, Jessica Ware, Ph.D. joins Amy in a search for some tiny neighbors. They're managing surprisingly well in New York and other cities by adapting to human food. But without the access to easy protein (e.g., other insects to prey on), they're doing things a bit differently in street medians than they would in a more rural setting. #ants #cities #nyc #ecology #insects Image: Julian F, CC BY-NC, iNaturalist ***** PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: http://to.pbs.org/DonateTerra ***** Subscribe to PBS Terra so you never miss an episode! https://bit.ly/3mOfd77 And keep up with PBS Terra on: Facebook: https://facebook.com/pbsdigitalstudios Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pbsterra Instagram: https://instagram.com/pbsterra

If the insect world has a fuzzy, charismatic cutie, it’s surely the humble bumble bee. While insect populations are declining around the globe, bumble bees f...

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Approximately eight students gather each summer at the Museum for a ten-week experience working with curators, faculty, and post-doctoral fellows.