"THE FILM YOU ARE ABOUT TO SEE" "WON THE PRIZE FOR BEST FILM FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN" "AT THE BRUSSELS WORLD FESTIVAL IN 1947." "FRESHWATER ASSASSINS" "In pond or ordinary swamp, freshwater harbors intensive life that can be summed up in two distinct phases,- eat or be eaten," "We'll look at some forms of destruction in the food chain." "Dragonfly larvae live in water for several years and maybe almost three inches long," "The opening at the rear of the body, surrounded by five spines, serves, among other things, for breathing." "Water for breathing flows in and out of this opening." "Muscular movements of the abdomen constantly pump water Ìn and out." "If the water is expelled forcefully, the animal is propelled forward- the first jet engine." "The same system applies to its cousin, the damselfly, enabling her to dart about," "Dragonfly larvae use their masks to seize prey." "The midge, or Chironomus plumosus, is the classic victim." "Resembling an arm and hand bent under the chin the mask is extendable." "Two hooks at the end grip the prey." "The mask pulls the prey back to the mouth where its mandibles masticate it." "In their eggs, mollusks' charming children play ring-around-the-rosy." "These freshwater snails an inch long, patiently pace in their shells, waiting to hatch," "female hydrophilid beetles, peace-loving and vegetarian, stroll about with their eggs attached beneath their abdomen." "These eggs give birth to ravishing larvae." "These larvae breathe air like their parents do, as shown by the air bubble they carry on their rear." "Only their head is fortified, and it exhibits powerful grinding mandibles." "The hydrophilid beetle larva is extremely fond of mollusks." "Here's an encounter between an inch-long larva and a mollusk." "The larva attempts to crush the shell, but the shell is quite hard." "The mollusk clings to the ground." "But a new move allows the assailant to dig its fangs into the flesh." "The mollusk's sole line of defense as it retreats into its shell is to secrete slime," "the larva repulsed and engulfed in slime." "Lets go." "The survivor sings a victory tune." "The larva grabs another mollusk, a planorbÌd, whose more brittle shell has a circular, flat shape, more accommodating to the larva's body, which the larva wraps around the planorbÌd." "Being lighter than water, it's an effort to stay put." "The larva grabs an anchor so it can eat in peace." "Every muscle in its body participates in the crushing." "The larva bends completely back upon itself and crushes the shell." "The water scorpion is a winged, air-breathing insect," "Its breathing tube allows it to live in the water, where it resembles a piece of wood." "Its body, long and narrow, ends in a breathing tube and measures altogether some four inches." "Mrs, Water ScorpÌon and her little family," "fating her own offspring doesn't bother her," "to breathe, she lets the end of her breathing tube skim the surface of the water where fresh air enters through a waterproof opening." "The tube is formed by two shafts side by side." "Generally motionless, she clings to the vegetation, from which she's indistinguishable." "The first set of feet change into a terrifying rapacious claw." "Greater magnification shows a hooked end and the bristles on the opposite side, allowing her to clamp down tightly on her prey." "She catches whatever comes within reach of her rapacious claws." "As the claws retract, the prey is impaled upon on the rostrum." "The rostrum is a pointed beak that serves as a mouth, lt distills poison and contaÌns a sharp edge with which the water scorpion rips through its victims' tissues." "The water scorpion then sucks out the result." "But those who suck on others will be sucked on in turn." "TÌny parasitic mites live with their own beaks permanently embedded in the body or limbs of the water scorpion." "Nepa cinerea is close kin to the water scorpÌon, but it looks like a leaf." "Like the water scorpion, it has a breathing tube, rapacious claws, and a sucking rostrum." "It seizes a damselfly larva." "The larva of the phryganeid, or caddisfly, ranging up to almost an inch in length, lives in houses it makes of various materials, mineral, plant or animal." "This shelter ensures protection for its son and vulnerable body." "It's obviously easier to find a prefabricated house - for example, a hollow twÌg." "These harmless-looking creatures are as carnivorous as the rest and masticate their prey." "The aIderfly is a very nervous creature." "It looks like a fish with its bones on the outside." "It swallows its prey." "The heavily armored water beetle larva perpetually starved, prowls and kills at every opportunity." "Up to four inches long, it swims by means of its feet and contractions of its body." "To breathe it rises, bottom up, to the water's surface where it places the tip of its abdomen, which is a waterproof orifice." "Two appendages called cerci remain in the water permitting a quick descent." "A system of tracheae supplies fresh air the entire length of the body." "Newborn water beetle larvae will attack the largest prey." "Instead of a mouth, they have hooks directly linked to the digestive system." "These hooks are hollow and join canals leading from the head to the esophagus." "As the hooks close around the prey, the fatal pumping action begins." "The larva injects its digestive fluids into the victim and sucks out the resultant nutrient mass." "Instead of eyes, the water beetle larva has six small patches on each side of its head." "Once the hooks have closed the transparent body shows the rapid injection and suction." "Having emptied the worm, the larva discards it after making sure nothing is left." "Like a cat, it circles a dragonfly larva," "The internal tissues are rapidly liquefied, and the shell folds up like a cardboard box." "A young triton wÌll be its next victim." "KÌllers face-to-face." "This isn't a wrestling match but a fight to the death." "One grabs the other's neck, but the armor there is unpierceable." "It must go for the body." "A new assailant appears." "Soon the deadly fluid takes effect." "The victim turns a blackish color." "The doomed prey attempts in vain to retaliate." "H" "H-U-N-G" "H-U-N-G-E-R"