TV wildlife presenter Iolo Williams left Winterwatch fans open-mouthed as he explained how the "world's loudest insect" makes its mating call. The nature veteran even pulled out a wooden percussion instrument to explain the water boatman's bizarre method for attracting the opposite sex with a process known as stridulation.
The 60-year-old ornithologist from Builth Wells began by asking Gillan Burke, his co-presenter on the popular BBC show: "Did you know that for its size the water boatman is the loudest creature in the whole world? It can emit a sound of up to 99.2 decibels.
"That's like you and me sitting in front row of a theatre listening to a full orchestra. We'd be blasted away."
Iolo then went on to demonstrate just how stridulation – the act of producing sound by rubbing together certain body parts – is performed by these tiny freshwater invertebrates. "Do you know how they do that?" he asked Gillian who replied: " I don't, but I suspect you're going to show me."
Iolo then proceeded to explain how the creature – common in ponds, ditches, and canals across the UK – makes a chirping noise by "rubbing its penis along a series of ridges on its abdomen". He added: "It's remarkable and that noise is all about attracting the opposite sex."
Naturally viewers took to social media straightaway to share the moment. "Top marks to Gillian for a straight face while Iolo demonstrated how a water boatman generates sound by rubbing its penis on its belly," tweeted one. "Gillian left speechless by the stridulation explanation," posted another while a third added: "'The word 'stridulation' sounds even better with a Welsh accent."
One fan also joked about it being "before the 9pm watershed" while someone else tweeted: "I absolutely love #Winterwatch and am a self-confessed nature geek. But to see Iolo Williams role playing the act of stridulation is a giggly joy. Eat your heart out Love Island."
READ NEXT:
EastEnders star Charlie Brooks looks totally different as she announces new sex toy venture
Eamonn Holmes on how a member of S Club 7 helped him during health battle
GMB's Susanna Reid details morning habit that surprises Lorraine and Dr Hilary
First Dates barman Merlin Griffiths shares health update amid ongoing cancer treatment
