The Origins of ‘Big Bug’ Science Fiction

The video explores the role of insects in ecosystems and their portrayal in media, particularly in 1950s big bug films. It discusses the cultural and historical context of locusts, the rise of insect-themed horror films, and their commentary on nuclear energy, migration, and societal fears. The video also examines the impact of pesticides and the role of military and science in these narratives. It concludes with the enduring presence of insect horror in modern media.

What percentage of the world's species do insects make up?

• 80%

• 70%

• 60%

• 50%

Which film is considered the most influential in the 1950s big bug genre?

• The Deadly Mantis

• The Empire of the Ants

• Beginning of the End

• Them

What societal fear did the big bug films of the 1950s often reflect?

• Fear of technology

• Fear of communism

• Fear of aliens

• Fear of the ocean

What was a significant cultural movement during the 1950s that influenced big bug films?

• The Civil Rights Movement

• The Space Race

• The Great Migration

• The Industrial Revolution

What was DDT promoted as in the 1940s?

• The atomic bomb of insecticides

• The miracle pesticide

• The ultimate bug killer

• The eco-friendly solution

Which insect was featured in a 1957 film that highlighted the ineffectiveness of insecticides?

• Beetles

• Spiders

• Ants

• Locusts

What was a common theme in big bug films regarding the military's role?

• The military was often portrayed as the villain

• The military was ineffective

• The military saved the day

• The military was absent

Which insect is known for forming strange floating masses as part of its reproductive cycle?

• Locusts

• Honey bees

• Termites

• Fire ants

What transformation do locusts undergo under certain environmental conditions?

• They change color

• They hibernate

• They become solitary

• They form swarms

Which insect is known for its powerful bites and ability to decimate crops?

• Locusts

• Fire ants

• Bees

• Termites