Freshwater Assassins (1947)
In a freshwater pond, it's "eat or be eaten." A dragonfly larva eats a midge; a water beetle larva eats a damselfly larva. Snail larvae grow. A beetle larva eats one. Up close, we see the eating apparatus of a damselfly larva—with a retractable hook beneath mandibles. Some creatures bite and chew, others suck. A water beetle larva holds on to its prey, injects a poison that turns the victim's insides to soup, and then sucks it dry. We watch one eat a damselfly larvae and then another water beetle larva. Some have ingenious ways to camouflage themselves, like the water scorpion, and to breathe air while hunting under water. Caddisfly larvae hide in debris, then eat.
Director: Jean Painlevé
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 24 min
Release Date: August 1, 1947
Country: France
Language: Français
Original Language: fr
More Films by Director: Jean Painlevé
More Films in Genre: Documentary
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Freshwater Assassins about?
- In a freshwater pond, it's "eat or be eaten." A dragonfly larva eats a midge; a water beetle larva eats a damselfly larva. Snail larvae grow. A beetle larva eats one. Up close, we see the eating apparatus of a damselfly larva—with a retractable hook beneath mandibles. Some creatures bite and chew, others suck. A water beetle larva holds on to its prey, injects a poison that turns the victim's insides to soup, and then sucks it dry. We watch one eat a damselfly larvae and then another water beetle larva. Some have ingenious ways to camouflage themselves, like the water scorpion, and to breathe air while hunting under water. Caddisfly larvae hide in debris, then eat.
- Who directed Freshwater Assassins?
- Freshwater Assassins was directed by Jean Painlevé.
- How long is Freshwater Assassins?
- Freshwater Assassins has a runtime of 24m (24 minutes).
- What genre is Freshwater Assassins?
- Freshwater Assassins is a Documentary film.
- Where was Freshwater Assassins produced?
- Freshwater Assassins was produced in France.