National Geographic explores bug mating rituals

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Bug Mating

The underrated 1998 animated film, *A Bug’s Life*, has inspired an unusual yet captivating live-action adaptation. National Geographic has released two original series on Disney+ that take inspiration from this Pixar classic, with the standout being *A Real Bug’s Life*. Currently ranked No.

5 on Disney+’s Top 10 in the U.S., *A Real Bug’s Life* dives into “nine different micro bug worlds around the globe, where the forces of nature play out on a miniature scale and where tiny creatures rely on amazing powers and extraordinary alliances to make it through each day,” according to the official synopsis. Some of the fascinating stories featured in the series include “a jumping spider looking for a home on the streets of New York” and “a Costa Rican orchid bee’s first day on the job making perfume.”

*A Bug’s Life*, Pixar’s second feature-length film, follows a misfit ant named Flik (voiced by Dave Foley) who enlists a troupe of Circus Bugs to save his ant colony from a gang of menacing grasshoppers. The film, directed by John Lasseter with Andrew Stanton as co-director, may not have been the studio’s biggest hit, but it received positive reviews and grossed over $360 million worldwide at the box office.

Exploring bug worlds

Building on the charm of its animated predecessor, the success of *A Real Bug’s Life* led to a sequel. Disney+ recently launched *A Real Bug’s Life 2*, narrated by Awkwafina.

This sequel employs cutting-edge filming technology to capture the dramas of tiny creatures in stunning detail. From the fast-legged tiger beetle escaping the heat of Malaysia’s beaches to the transformative journey of a damselfly on a British pond, the series offers a mesmerizing look at the insect world. Episodes utilize advanced techniques such as motion-controlled cameras, ultra high-speed lenses, macro filming, photogrammetry, and racing first-person drones, providing viewers with precise and breathtaking shots of these miniature heroes.

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Both *A Real Bug’s Life* and *A Real Bug’s Life 2*, along with the original *A Bug’s Life*, are available to stream on Disney+. These series continue to captivate audiences, shedding light on the incredible world of insects and their extraordinary livelihoods.

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