That's Not Rain, That's Super-powered Pee! | Deep Look

Sharpshooters survive by guzzling a lot of plant sap. But drinking all of that liquid nutrition presents a problem for these tiny insects: How do they move it all out? Easy. They've perfected a super-propulsive urination technique using a special catapult in their butt.
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DEEP LOOK is an ultra-HD (4K) short video series created by KQED San Francisco and presented by PBS Digital Studios. See the unseen at the very edge of our visible world. Explore big scientific mysteries by going incredibly small.
The sharpshooter gets all its nutrition from the thin, watery liquid inside a plant, called xylem sap, which it sucks out with this tube-shaped stylet. That sap has so little nutrition that sharpshooters need to guzzle nonstop. Taking all that liquid in presents a problem - how to move it out. The sharpshooter has evolved the perfect tool for the job: an anal stylus -- or butt flicker. Here's something incredible: Each drop of pee actually travels faster than the speed at which the butt flicker launched it. Learn about this incredible creature's super-propulsive pee in this video!
---+ The front end of the sharpshooter is interesting as well!
Elizabeth G. Clark of the University of California, Berkeley (@UCBerkeley), who worked with us on this episode, doesn’t just study the back end of the sharpshooter. She’s also extensively studied its feeding mechanism. She and her colleagues are trying to understand how sharpshooters feed so they can help stop their transmission of a bacterial plant pathogen called Xylella fastidiosa, which causes Pierce’s Disease. Check out Clark and team’s work in understanding the sharpshooter’s mouthparts and feeding
structures in this article: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/1...
---+ Get inspired in your own backyard!
Georgia Tech (@georgiatech) researchers Saad Bhamla and Elio Chalita (now of @harvard) were instrumental in helping us (and the world!) understand the physics of sharpshooter pee. Bhamla was inspired to study sharpshooter urination after observing them peeing in his own backyard! Read about their team’s research here:
research.gatech.edu/super-fas...
---+ Find additional resources and a transcript on KQED Science:
www.kqed.org/science/1991514/...
---+ More great Deep Look episodes:
Witness the Nighttime Magic of Spawning Coral • Witness the Nighttime ...
Earthworm Love is Cuddly ... and Complicated • Earthworm Love Is Cudd...
A Drain Fly’s Happy Place Is Down Your Pipes • Yes, That Fly Did Come...
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#deeplook

[@mimischiffman626]

Hello! I'm Mimi Schiffman, the producer for this episode. Got questions? Leave 'em here! I will do my best to answer them!

[@ooiqien2136]

Excellent video! Just curious, how do hearing aids and phones utilize biomimicry with lessons from the sharpshooter insect to become more reliable? (Feel free to post a link to a research paper)

[@Kessoku]

is that insect a parasite?

[@mimischiffman626]

​@@Kessoku The sharpshooter can carry Xylella fastidiosa which can cause diseases like Pierce's disease. Deep Look made a video about that before I joined the team. Check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3ekZ2RqiKp3g7M

[@IDK_BR...]

is pineapple gud on pizza?

[@yelonade5031]

What was the source of the pinging noise? (very entertaining and educational video thank you)

[@animemusicluver1]

"they even do it while doing it" talk about multitasking. They're professionals

[@mikedaniels470]

After all, professionals have standards.

[@aman9702]

That part was so unnecessary 😂

[@jessep5280]

Even some humans _do it_ while doing it. ...Unfortunately.

[@Mikemikemikemkkemike]

​@@mikedaniels470 hmmmm TF2 reference....

[@Billy426.]

@@mikedaniels470be polite, be efficient, have a plan to mate with every female you see -male insect

[@Tokioka]

Props to the editor for making a DING sound each and every time a droplet of pee was launched 😁👏👏👏

[@mimischiffman626]

Hi! Producer for the episode here. Our composer Seth Samuel was the genius behind that sound effect!

[@VP-qd2ed]

No it comes with the pee

[@samdurian2112]

If every "ding" drops converts a dollar coins 🤣😏

[@8MEP8]

That bell sound was the worst part of the video

[@thesuckysix4242]

I wish Zefrank was here. "But flickers-excuse me; Butt-flickers are fascinatingly complicated pieces of equipment..."

[@KQEDDeepLook]

FYI this is the term scientists use to describe the apparatus, we're not making it up!

[@XC11301991]

Watch him make a video soon.

[@kayagorzan]

Jerry at it again

[@kziila0244]

I believe he actually did make a mention of something like this in the camouflage video.

[@shardinalwind7696]

I think he did make a video in this

[@satyaprakash03133]

They even do it while doing it . Hilarious af.🤣🤣

[@NativeVsColonial]

Their schedule is busier than mine 😢

[@hikingglint9648]

That *ting* everytime the droplet flicked away is the icing on the cake.

[@mimischiffman626]

Hi! Producer for the episode here. And I v much agree!!! Our composer Seth Samuel was responsible for the ting!!! I LOVED cutting his composition into this episode.

[@justayoutuber1906]

If by icing, you mean overdone and annoying.

[@hikingglint9648]

@@justayoutuber1906 Why are you here?

[@ElysetheEevee]

I thought it was funny, too, lol!

[@ComplexityComplex]

Surface tension is no joke at that scale! Thanks Deep Look team for inspiring us to learn more about the miniscule miracles all around us!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

You are most welcome. ::-)

[@dangerfly]

More like miniscule pumps with that throughput. Bush oysters?

[@callystarizka-tata7892]

Wow

[@ariefaditya1470]

The consistency of that "cling" sound effect

[@KQEDDeepLook]

That is the handiwork of our music composer, Seth Samuel.

[@ariefaditya1470]

@@KQEDDeepLook hats off!!

[@callystarizka-tata7892]

Oh wow

[@path0g3n21]

"That's not rain that's pee" Oh.....okay almost opened my mouth there

[@Mikemikemikemkkemike]

Don't do it, drinking pee is good for your health

[@sora5373]

😂😂

[@mushiginko1]

I have now been conditioned to believe that sharpshooters also produce a 'ding' sound every time they flick their pee away

[@B_4035mn]

They do, I work at a grape farm, and every time I hear a "Ding" noise I get flashbacks.

[@dimitriosfotopoulos3689]

" A wiz at whizzing." The best line I have heard all day.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

*mic drop*

[@callystarizka-tata7892]

Lol

[@Free_Flowing_Anxiety]

It’s so amazing how animals evolve. This reminds me of Koalas, they starting eating their food cause there wasn’t much competition for something so non-nutritious and poisonous, so it ate it and developed ways to deal with its food. Easier for some animals to evolve around an objectively bad food than fight for a better one.

[@LimeyLassen]

Insects that eat carrion are really fascinating. They specialize so much. Some of them only eat one thing (like feathers), or they specialize at eating meat at certain levels of decomposition (to the point that forensic scientists can make a timeline based on what beetles are present). My personal favorite is aquatic stoneflies, who will patiently wait for autumn leaves fallen in the stream to ferment before they start eating them. It's like sauerkraut, or kimchi!

[@Free_Flowing_Anxiety]

@@LimeyLassen My favorite are Dung Beatles. While all the other insects just seek their food out to eat, Dung Beatles eat, sleep, breed dung. The ball is a nursery for their kids. A Dung Beatle couple will meet up to create it specifically for them. There are thieves who still the balls all the time.

[@paradiselost9946]

@@Free_Flowing_Anxiety dung...beatles? is that ringo, john, george, or paul?

[@paprscissrs]

NEW DEEP LOOK VIDEO EVERYONE CHEERED

[@animemusicluver1]

YASS

[@rannierunsfast]

Did we just watch 4 minutes of bugs peeing?

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Yes!

[@teddymattix4619]

fr this one unecpectedly was so intriguing

[@callystarizka-tata7892]

Yay

[@blardomodica]

This channel is underrated to a point that I really can't explain myself.

[@danielvo4754]

The water dropping sounds make them all the more adorable!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

That is the handiwork of our music composer, Seth Samuel.

[@justayoutuber1906]

disagree. Annoying AF

[@phucto1803]

"Honey, a new Deep Look video just dropped." "Cool, what is it about this time babe?" "Pee-shooting bug." "..."

[@TheWhiteScatterbug]

As a bug lover, I love this channel too~ It really is amazing to get such a deep look into those small animals and give them the well-deserved spotlight for all the good they do in our ecosystems~

[@LoveyBicki]

“Don’t piss on my boots and tell me it’s raining” came to mind 😂

[@ZKFG71]

YES YES YES! A new deeplook video featuring some of my favorite insects! Thank you for making this video. These lil’ insects are a wonder to watch and learn from.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@callystarizka-tata7892]

I hope you enjoyed the episode

[@yanj111]

I remembere I experienced this exact raining but no rains from sky, it was passing by a willow tree, there were a lot of these insects on the tree. now I know it was them urinating🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 , thanks again for the beautiful video! you got me at "butt flicker" and "capaw!!"😂😂😂😂

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thanks!

[@callystarizka-tata7892]

Thank you for supporting Deep Look

[@deadlydingus1138]

“Scientists at Georgia Tech filmed sharpshooters peeing in slow-mo.” That’s going to look great on their resumes.

[@sophiafern]

This channel literally brings me so much life. Thank you so much to all the people who work so hard on it! You're all doing incredible work

[@KQEDDeepLook]

You are most welcome! From the looks of your screen name, you like FERNS .... we have an episode on April 16 that you might be excited about, just sayin.'

[@sophiafern]

@@KQEDDeepLook oooohhh I'll definitely mark my calendar!

[@callystarizka-tata7892]

I hope you enjoyed this episode

[@taylor3950]

The 1:31 “-gah!” is delightfully timed

[@KQEDDeepLook]

We had fun with that moment! Laura really nailed it.

[@callystarizka-tata7892]

Lol

[@rowzeeistyra]

I'm so glad the last video I see tonight would be a Deep Look video

[@timeimp]

That bell definitely won't become a Pavlovian response anytime soon 🤣

[@user-pz7ky7ue6r]

Wow it's my favorite insect!!! Thank you for making this video!!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Awesome! How did it become your favorite?

[@user-pz7ky7ue6r]

I read a paper of sharpshooter by pf.saad bhamla last year, and it was so interesting!!

[@mimischiffman626]

​@@user-pz7ky7ue6r Producer for this episode here. We worked with Saad Bhamla for this piece! And Elio Challita and Liz Clark! That VERY cool and VERY sharp crew of researchers made all of this possible!!!

[@callystarizka-tata7892]

Wow

[@deglazed91]

lol I can't with the sound effect each time the pee get flung

[@prettypic444]

Hats off to the editor who added the "ding" to EVERY SINGLE pee flick

[@chriswurst2656]

Thanks for your great work❤

[@KQEDDeepLook]

You are most welcome. :-)

[@xknightmare013]

This would be hilarious to hear that sound every time they actually did that

[@jimb.7523]

*PETER GRIFFIN:* Butt flickerrrrr!!!!!!!!!

[@Kuwagumo]

I didnt know about that insect at all! Thanks deep look!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

You are most welcome.

[@MazdaTiger]

the editor must having a fun time adding "dings" every time they pee

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Our music composer sent a a while separate music track of just pings!

[@miruljunaidi1420]

drink > pee > watered the soil > plants absorb the water > plants grow . and the cycle continues. beautiful

[@ombekende2962]

woo yippiee new deep look vid!!! been following for years, and im still excited whenever theres a new one :3

[@KQEDDeepLook]

We are very grateful! Do you have any favorite episodes?

[@petriepretorius4085]

This is both interesting and humoristic... Lauren! You are just great!!! 😂

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Glad you think so!

[@callystarizka-tata7892]

I hope you enjoyed the episode

[@aslmj2]

this channel taught me so much about insects. the footages are awesome keep these coming.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

More to come!

[@zacharywong483]

Absolutely fantastic video, as always!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Gravage]

I will never be able to see these doing their thing in nature without imagining that "ding!" sound.

[@moumous87]

I love this channel!

[@mimischiffman626]

Producer for the episode here. We

[@marilynschiffman7794]

So amusing AND informative. Love these.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Glad you like them!

[@yahia114]

yay another deep look video, thank you all for the effort

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Our pleasure!

[@callystarizka-tata7892]

😄

[@weiyin8046]

Once again, such cute sound design!!! Kudos!!!

[@saycakepop4me]

Honestly as soon as I see Deep Look posted I drop everything and watch it doesn't matter if I'm in the middle of one of my classes or if people are talking to me it gets pushed in a little box and it can wait till the episode is over then life can continue lol

[@KQEDDeepLook]

hahaha thanks!

[@callystarizka-tata7892]

Thanks for watching, I hope you enjoyed the episode

[@henryst19]

I love the 'tink' sound everytime they were doing it, just made it better..

[@hooksethijinx4769]

So this explains those random drops I feel when it's not raining

[@Wised1000]

Another excellent video! 👌

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@harleyq8127]

Just found you channel, I absolutely love it and all the information!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@weeklyvideos8447]

You just made my day 😅😁❤❤❤

[@KQEDDeepLook]

So glad!

[@riyan_prof]

I often see in backyard and that's fascinating... And what more!? Your video explaining the details that is make me know more and really awesome!

[@mimischiffman626]

Producer for the episode here! Cicadas have a unique way of peeing too! Take a dive into what you find on the internet about them! Very rainy!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Aizenstehen]

I love that your channel highlights insects that we don't even know about!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Glad you like them!

[@eklectiktoni]

Wow! Amazing little insects.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

They are!

[@mayurlagad492]

Whoever created the Life on Earth or however the Life on Earth evolved, it's just so mesmerizing .

[@worlds.finestpenguin]

YALL DEEP LOOK UPLOADED

[@icantchooseaname6903]

The fact that these sharpshooters make a ding sound everytime it pees

[@djjam4340]

"KAPOW! They even do it while doing it" Hilarious.

[@starstudio143]

Incredible video❤

[@TacoTuna]

wake up babe new Deep Look video dropped

[@roughroadrunner88]

This is so funny and amazing at the same time

[@knisayusuf]

thank you for covering this,I never knew this is called as Sharpshooter-when I was 7 y/o I always see this insects.(when I lived in Sabah). now 30 years later-I learn its name.

[@mjohnson5030]

"Butt-Flicker" ZeFrank's attorneys are on line one with a cease and decist order! 😂

[@Thediscoball]

A beautiful channel that makes even insect haters love them.

[@iamjoshdelacruz]

“They even doing it while doing it” I cannot believe insects do golden showers too 💀

[@michaeldebidart]

Imagine if they actually made that little “ding!” sound effect every time they launched a pee

[@IchigoG]

I love theses leaf hoppers :3

[@missbearlockholmes]

Ahhh... Such lovely, fresh dew on these grapes.... 😅

[@weezyyeswes]

The poop flicker, imagine if humans had something like this. It would be crazy 😂

[@Homestyleforduc]

When your outside and feel a drop, but there’s no rain…

[@mohsinjamal3593]

amazing... how do you doing it! micro super-class-work! applauds - you are discovering so nicely.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thank you very much!

[@luster5497]

Looks like a fishing lure that I need to make a mold of, they looks so good

[@KQEDDeepLook]

You should!

[@hk8450]

The surface tension force of water is based on a certain weight. The smaller the size of the water drop, the more durable it will be. So even if you hit it faster, it will not disperse. Also, since the muscles contract and relax like a small water wave during throwing, water does not stick.

[@macklyn]

Too cool, thank you!

[@johnstevenobena7170]

"Gahh!" I really felt that 😂

[@DamonKClark]

My cousins in Louisiana literally call sharp shooters pee bugs. 😂😂😂

[@Billy426.]

2:03 snoipin’s a good job mate!

[@elk6507]

Amazing. I remember hearing ppl complain about millions of small liquid drops on their car after staying under a tree for a bit. It's so interesting looking close to it.

[@RichChh]

At least there wasn't much 'yellow' in this video. Thanks Laura!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

That's true!

[@maxhill9254]

thx

[@WoodenCarModel101]

Omg,it's so cool❤❤

[@ledraco4820]

It's deeplook at it again

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Not wrong.

[@chrismorris8196]

Awesome!!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thanks!

[@dovanhoanhmt]

It's so amazing

[@allenyudistira]

the pee sfx is amusing

[@GatorLife57]

Love ya Laura !!!!

[@jayjayquest4958]

These creatures seem very pissed off. 🤣

[@Spicysaucysauce]

Great, now every time I drop a coin, I’m going to think of these little fellas flicking their pee 😂

[@ValekDerri-lh8zm]

Didn't even know a thing like this existed. Nature sure is neat.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Indeed!

[@throwawaytesterforpython5333]

So many incredible insects we don't know about.

[@ShirokumaSama]

Deep Look stealing all my joke before I could even think of one 😂

[@KQEDDeepLook]

*grins*

[@drowningpooralice5505]

Alright, now I want a piece of music written for "dings" edited into a video of sharp shooters peeing.

[@trackert3358]

Butt flicker, the sound effects 😭😂😭

[@skiburnski7543]

The word "evolve" should not be used when discussing these marvels of creation. Nothing comes without intelligent design.

[@ariannasv22]

I wanna get paid to be the person who drops a water balloon for the slow mo shot

[@Chad-Giga.]

They had a huge campaign for years in the Napa valley to warn of glassy wing sharpshooters when I was growing up as a lod

[@vierikristianto1334]

BUTTFLICKER! OUR PRICES HAVE NEVER BEEN LOWER!

[@gizmofrek]

does it really rings?

[@MehnixIsThatGuy]

interesting convergent evolution with another insect that drinks sap that has too much sugar, so it shoots away the excess using a similar method. Only for them somtimes other insects will gather up behind it to catch it.

[@salt-emoji]

2:56 you can see a similar effect if you've ever watched the videos of dudes launching a ball after Canon balling into a pool

[@shaman0184]

Hi deep look ! You are amazing

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Hey, thanks 🙏🏼

[@shivamSriv07]

I thought that they made that sound while shooting their pee😆.