Customer Reviews

Secret Weapons [VHS]

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This documentary follows the piorneering explorations of a Cornell Entomologist by the name of Professor Thomas Eisner. Some of the footage in this film has never been shown. Thomas Eisiner takes us into the world of chemical defenses among insects. We see a beetle that shoots poison, a millipede that emits a cloud of toxins, a moth that secretes aphrodisiacs. And one of the most fascinating segments is on a beetle (hemisperota) that has the ability to hold on with its feet with over one hundred times its body weight. Eisner takes us through the scientific process by making observations, making a hypothesis, investigating and then reaching a conclusion. Amazingly, during the filming of this program, Eisner made a discovery of an insect which resulted in a science journal article.

This film is perfect for high school biology students.

This is a remarkably interesting film, even if you're not especially interested in buggy things. Everyone I've viewed it with has been riveted. If you are, in fact, fascinated by bugs you should know that this is actually just a tiny taste of the amazing things that Thomas Eisner presents in his book "For Love of Insects" For Love of Insects. I recommed this film (and book) to anyone.

This video is excellent. It is full of astounding camera work including bombardier beetle blasts slowed down to 400 frames per second. The footage is accompanied by enlightening explanations of what is going on and why. The main theme of the video is the chemical defenses utilized by different insects. The audience is also treated to actual laboratory experiments on several insects that reveal surprising facts about them. The video is fascinating and very informative. It would be best suited for students in grades 6-12 though I'm sure it will appeal to adults as well.