The Pixar movie A Bug's Life is a sharp and funny look at capitalism through the lens of insects who are at odds with one another, and there are many kinds of "bugs" in the story. The movie follows an ant named Flik (voiced by Dave Foley) who has a deal where grasshoppers give his colony food and make sure that other insects don't hurt them. Flik wants to leave this pressure-filled situation and ends up being in charge of bugs who are part of a circus. Along the way, he comes across many types of insects, including a stick bug, which is one of the movie's most memorable characters.
Stick insects are actually bugs that resemble sticks and hide in plants in order so to survive. The walking stick bug character from A Bug's Life, Slim (voiced by Frasier's David Hyde Pierce), is adorable and charming, helping to make the movie one of Pixar's most underrated animated features. He has one of the most compelling storylines in the movie and has a tough time with his boss, which is one way that the story mirrors that of the human experience. There are other various bugs in the movie that are also unique and endearing. Here is a list of every kind of insect represented in Pixar's A Bug's Life.
Ants
There are many ants in A Bug's Life that Flik is close to and interacts with regularly. While the stick bug from A Bug's Life is a fan favorite, these ants make up a lively and very likable group of insects themselves. The ants are all blue or purple, which gives them a cheerful, light-hearted appearance. There's Mr. Soil (Roddy McDowall, of the Planet of the Apes movies), who is the actor of the bunch. There's also Dr. Flora (Ferris Bueller's Day Off's Edie McClurg), who takes care of everyone in the colony.
While Flik is busy battling Hopper, the movie gives him a love life, which is moving. Flik is romantically involved with Princess Atta (Seinfeld's Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Atta is waiting to be the queen, which gives her a goal and sense of purpose. Atta is a well-developed character who is insecure about taking over and wants everyone to love her. Her overwhelm is relatable. Atta goes on a journey and becomes more secure with herself at the end of A Bug's Life.
Other ants include Dot (Hayden Panettiere, of the Scream movies) and Atta and Dot's mother, The Queen (comedy legend Phyllis Diller), who is a little scary and intimidating. Ashley Tisdale (who later voiced Candace in Disney's Phineas and Ferb) plays a character in charge of the Blueberry Scouts in A Bug's Life. The Blueberry Scouts are made up of several ants who are kids, such as Dot, which is a charming detail. There is also Cornelius (David Ossman), who uses a stick to walk around, and Thorny (The Godfather's Alex Rocco), who works for Atta and is always in a terrible mood.
Grasshoppers
If the stick bug from A Bug's Life is one of the most likable characters, Hopper (House of Cards' Kevin Spacey) is the opposite. Hopper is in charge of the grasshoppers, and while he gives Flik and the other insects in the colony food, he doesn't have good intentions. Hopper has a mean look on his face at all times, and he can't see out of one eye because a bird once hurt him.
The other grasshopper in the movie is Molt, Hopper's younger sibling. While Hopper is brutal and harsh, Molt is kinder, but Hopper is the one who intimidates the other grasshoppers and makes them listen and follow along. Richard Kind, known for playing Jamie and Paul's good friend Mark in the '90s sitcom Mad About You and the revival, voices this character. There are also minor grasshoppers named Loco (Carlos Alazraqui), Axle (Jon Rabson), and Thumper (David Lander).
Aphids
There is one aphid in A Bug's Life, and his name is Alphie (Bob Bergen). The Queen keeps Alphie as a pet, and he's a sweet, happy part of the story. The Queen is an important character because although she's in charge of the colony, she is nice to everyone and seems to enjoy her job and her life. The Queen is also significant because she is very different from Hopper, who doesn't know how to be compassionate.
Walking Stick Bugs
Slim is a walking stick bug who is part of the circus group in the early and relatively low-ranking Pixar movie A Bug's Life. Some stick bugs fly, and others don't. Slim isn't able to fly, which seems to be something else that bothers him. Slim has the long, skinny appearance that is expected of an insect with this name. In a hilarious storyline, he has to be a clown, which he doesn't enjoy.
Ladybugs
While the stick bug from A Bug's Life is given a humorous plot line, the ladybug Francis (Denis Leary) is also frustrated about being a clown in the circus. Francis has the wide, big eyes typical of ladybugs and sometimes gets mad at the other insects. Francis is a problematic character, though, as he's a male bug who performs drag who doesn't like that the other insects think he's female.
Mosquitos
There are also two mosquitos that are seen in a few scenes in the movie. There is Harry the Mosquito (Rodger Bumpass, best known for playing Squidward Tentacles on SpongeBob SquarePants). There is also the bar mosquito, who Flik talks to and who drinks a Bloody Mary and then faints, which is a dark moment in the otherwise family-friendly story. Harry meets an unfortunate end when he moves toward a light and realizes too late that this object is meant to kill bugs. Since this is a kids' movie, the mosquitos in A Bug's Life have huge eyes and exaggerated wings and noses.
Fleas
There is also a flea in A Bug's Life, and like Slim, the walking stick bug, he makes quite the impression. P.T. Flea is the circus ringmaster, and he's voiced by John Ratzenberger, who's a regular in Pixar movies. While fleas are black, P.T. Flea is an olive green color and has a lot of fun running the circus. He has a loud personality and a mischievous look in his eyes. P.T. Flea becomes a nicer insect by the end of the story and learns from the circus bugs, Flik, and the other ants.
Rhinoceros Beetles
Dim is a rhinoceros beetle who plays an intense, emotional part in the circus of the "ferocious beast." He's the largest bug, but he isn't very brave. Dim's dynamic with the other insects, including Slim the stick bug, involves them looking after him and making sure that he's happy and comfortable. Actor Brad Garrett, who is beloved for his role as Robert on Everybody Loves Raymond, voiced Dim in A Bug's Life, and while the character may be insecure, he definitely has a flair for the dramatic.
Pill Bugs
Tuck and Roll (both voiced by Office Space's Michael McShane) are pill bugs who are also in the circus and, while not as memorable as Slim the stick bug, they have the most adorable appearance of any insect in the movie since they always look slightly terrified and surprised. The siblings have green bodies and black antennae. The pill bugs in the movie are more colorful than the ones in real life as pill bugs tend to be black with hints of gray or brown. The Pixar formula "what if x had feelings" can be applied here as the pill bugs are definitely filled with emotion.
Gypsy Moths
There is also a gypsy moth named Gypsy (Madeline Kahn), who works with her husband, a praying mantis named Manny (Jonathan Harris). While moths are thought to be dull and dark looking, Gypsy has a rainbow body, and it looks like she's wearing a shiny, fancy coat. Gypsy and Manny have a positive relationship, and she looks out for him. They may not be the most significant bugs in the movie, but they're memorable all the same.
Praying Mantises
Not to be mistaken for a stick insect, Manny, the praying mantis in A Bug's Life, is a fun green color. He takes pride in his work as part of the circus, and Manny and Gypsy are used to being successful there. Because Manny speaks with an English accent, he stands out from the rest of the insects. While Pixar has stopped making blooper reels, the supposed "mistakes" included in this movie see the actors laughing during serious pieces of dialogue. Manny's accent makes him sound more formal and sophisticated than the other bugs, and he doesn't have the sense of humor that some of the other insects have.
Caterpillars
There's also the caterpillar Heimlich (voiced by Pixar animator and writer Joe Ranft), who is another fan favorite like Slim the stick bug. Heimlich has rosy cheeks, a bright green body, red hands and feet, and a German accent. He's sometimes shown screaming and is one of the most expressive bugs. The movie's characters are so well-crafted because they're given missions to follow. In Heimlich's case, he wants to be a butterfly, and it's satisfying seeing him reach this goal in the end. Many Pixar movies have Easter eggs for future films and past releases, and Heimlich and Flik later secretly appear in a scene in Toy Story 2.
Black Widow Spiders
Another character at the circus alongside Heimlich the caterpillar and Slim the stick bug is Rosie the Black Widow Spider (Pixar regular Bonnie Hunt). She had 12 husbands who passed away, which explains her name. Rosie has a light blue face, huge cheerful eyes, and several black arms and legs. She often has a curious expression on her face. While not technically an insect, this arachnid is worth being labeled one of the "bugs" of A Bug's Life, as she cares about the other insects and tends to look out for them. Her kind personality makes her one of the most moving characters in the movie.