[Docuprime - Green Animals Part 3: Mating] KBS Documentary Review

KBS's "Docuprime - Green Animals Part 3: Mating" is a documentary that vividly portrays the unique and fascinating interactions between plants and insects. It introduces the breeding strategies of these often-overlooked creatures, allowing viewers to discover the wondrous wisdom hidden in the natural world.

The most impressive part was the gigantic flower of the Arizona Cactus (Ariocarpus). This plant spends 7 years accumulating nutrients before blooming a flower that is the largest in the world, reaching 3 meters in height and 1.5 meters in width. But the target of this enormous flower's allure was small flies. It attracted them by emitting a stench of rotting flesh and even generating heat up to 36 degrees Celsius. With numerous stamens and pistils once the flies gathered, the plant could effectively pollinate. This short yet spectacular process, culminating in just two days after seven years of waiting, was truly remarkable.

The cunning strategy of the endangered Kwangneung Lily (Lilium cernuum) was also fascinating. This flower utilizes its unique hole-shaped form, color, and hairs to lure bees. When a bee enters the hole, it gets trapped. The flower then emits light through a transparent window, triggering the bee's escape instinct. As the bee struggles to get out, it gets covered in pollen due to the hairs and the narrow exit. Though it seems like a deceptive trap, it's actually a sophisticated pollination strategy that leverages the bee's habits.

Meanwhile, the breeding behaviors of insects were also presented, such as the larva of a bee-wolf hunting prey and laying eggs in a burrow, and the Gentiana flower trapping bees at night and receiving pollen that has been attached to them. We were able to observe the various and ingenious ways these creatures strive for survival.

Overall, this documentary explains the reproductive processes of plants and insects in a simple and engaging way, allowing viewers to experience the wonder of the natural world anew. We realized that each of their actions, often overlooked, were distinct strategies for survival. It was an insightful viewing experience that provided a new perspective on the wisdom and instincts of living creatures in nature. Due to its diverse and captivating content, I highly recommend this piece not only to nature documentary enthusiasts but also to general viewers.