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Legendary Blackwater Rafting Company operations manager Logan Doull takes a back seat to the glowing cave worms.

From a distance, they're a mass of pretty blue lights. 

But up close, glow-worms are alien-like creatures who lure prey in with their glow before sucking out their insides. 

It's this sci-fi-esque side of the species that will be flaunted in National Geographic's most ambitious science project in its 130-year history. 

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They're beautiful, yet ruthless little creatures.

New Zealand's Waitomo caves, riddled with glow-worms, will feature in the 10-part visual documentary series One Strange Rock. 

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* Glorious glowworms

The visual documentary is made by Darren Aronofsky -  who makes films well known for disturbing content - and producer Jane Root. 

It's hosted by actor Will Smith. 

The series has been described as a love letter to Earth, exploring the planet with exceptional visual technology. 

New Zealand is one of 45 countries featured in the ongoing series, with Waitomo caves included in episode eight. 

Legendary Blackwater Rafting Company operations manager Logan Doull features alongside the Waitomo caves and glow-worms. 

The luminous worms fitted the theme perfectly, Doull said. 

"In the dark, [for people] admiring the pretty blue lights - they're stunning.

"But up close you see the gory detail.

"You've got a creature that's creating a light to lure other insects and then it very efficiently traps and devours them. That in itself is quite alien to a lot of people." 

Doull said he understood another New Zealand location may have been used for the series, but he didn't know where. 

It's always hard to film in the caves, Doull said. It's dark, wet and cramped, making it hard to lug around expensive camera gear. 

"By the time you get to the location you're completely soaked, your hands are cold."

And this crew were particularly meticulous. 

"For most film crews they're coming in for an afternoon or an evening. Maybe a day and that's it. Whereas these guys were here for a week. They wanted stuff that hadn't been shot before.

"We definitely ate a lot of chocolate. Had a lot of hot Raro." 

Alien, the 8th episode of One Strange Rock, will screen in New Zealand on June 13 at 7.30pm on National Geographic. 

Watch the National Geographic clip here. 

 - Stuff