CLEVELAND, OH—May 19, 2025—The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is buzzing with excitement as its conservation efforts and Chief Science Officer, Dr. Gavin Svenson, are spotlighted in the new PBS documentary series Bugs That Rule the World, airing Wednesdays, May 7–28, at 10pm ET on PBS (check local listings), PBS.org, and the PBS app.
While Dr. Svenson’s expertise is woven throughout the four-part series, his work takes center stage in episode three, “Eat or Be Eaten,” airing Wednesday, May 21. Viewers will follow him from the labs of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History to the forests of Brazil as he tracks some of the stealthiest predators in the insect world—praying mantises. The episode explores how nature has equipped these and other insects, including dragonflies and aquatic species, with extraordinary intelligence, agility, and hunting skills for survival.
“I’m excited to be involved in a program that helps people better understand what’s happening to insects and why it matters,” said Dr. Gavin Svenson, Chief Science Officer at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
Filmed in stunning macro cinematography, Bugs That Rule the World reveals the unseen and rapidly changing lives of insects in extraordinary detail—from intricate mating rituals to physical transformations that seem straight out of science fiction. It also addresses the looming threat of a global insect decline and what a future without bugs could mean for human and planetary health.
“Dr. Svenson’s appearance in this new series is a testament to the caliber of research happening right here in Cleveland,” said Sonia Winner, President & CEO of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. “This work exemplifies the Museum’s mission to inspire a passion for the natural world and promote a healthier future for both people and the planet.”
The Museum encourages viewers to tune in and learn more about the species that have long ruled our planet—from pollinators that bring food to our plates to decomposers that keep ecosystems in balance. Bugs That Rule the World cleverly reveals why insect survival is inseparable from our own.
To watch a preview of episode three of Bugs That Rule the World, “Eat or Be Eaten,” visit the PBS website.
For more information about Dr. Gavin Svenson’s research and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, visit the Museum’s website.
Media Contact
Samantha Guenther
External Communications Manager, Marketing & Communications
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Office: 216.231.4600 x3432
Mobile: 440.429.2902
sguenther@cmnh.org
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History illuminates the world around us and inspires visitors to engage with the natural forces that shape their lives. Since its founding in 1920, the Museum has pioneered scientific research to advance knowledge across diverse fields of study and used its outstanding collections, which encompass millions of artifacts and specimens, to deepen the public’s understanding of the dynamic connections between humans and nature. Through its Natural Areas Program, the Museum stewards more than 12,500 acres of protected ecosystems across northern Ohio. A community gathering place, educational center, and research institution, the Museum is a vital resource that serves Cleveland and the nation. For more information, visit CMNH.org.
