Bugs are Important Too

Most insects are harmless. Without a doubt there are a few that can be harmful but for the most part they are safe. I am referring to the USA, this doesn’t apply to Australia. I’m pretty sure even the butterflies are deadly over there. I’m joking of course, but Australia is known for their highly venomous creatures. I find the life of bugs very interesting. Something about the tiny creatures keeps me entertained. How wonderful it is that God deemed each one worthy and created that particular type for a reason. They are essential for pollination, decomposition, pest control, and food webs. Insects also contribute to soil health, nutrient cycling, and even provide beneficial products like lac, beeswax, and dyes. They work over time everyday and we don’t even notice most of the time.

In the near future I will do a post about the coolest, most intriguing creepy crawlers but today I just want to talk about bugs in general. I think it is important to teach children that most insects are friendly and how to identify the bad ones.  I can often find my daughter playing with rolly pollies, beetles, worms, ants, and crickets. Just the other day she had caught two cicadas and housed them in a jar for inspection. She has her very own bug vacuum attached with a magnifying glass and holding container. It’s her daily mission to find a new friend to suck up and investigate.

I myself have rescued wasps and hornets from inside my home and carried centipedes to safer locations. Some time last year I spotted a very pregnant praying mantis. She was crawling around trying to find a place to lay her eggs and the side of my house seemed appropriate. I coaxed her onto my hand and moved her to a more appropriate location. She was quite calm and docile despite her assassin hands ready and armed. 

Unbeknownst to me, I brought an ootheca inside my house one day attached to a Basil plant I wanted to dry out. The warm climate inside my home signaled to the baby praying mantises that it was time to hatch. In a blink of an eye I had a thousand premature praying mantis all over my house. Contrary to my previous statement, I am sorry to say the shop vac made quick work of the situation. I wasn’t sure how else to deal with the infestation.

Bugs and insects usually cause people to yell, scream and swat. But if just one species of these tiny heroes would disappear it would have a domino effect on every level of the ecosystem. Bees pollinate our food, butterflies eat dead animals, beetles eat dead plants, dragonflies maintain pest control and house centipedes do the same to our home.  Much like ourselves, each one has its own unique and tailored job to do. Next time you see a ladybug stuck inside or a beetle where it should be, give them a hand and put them back where they belong. Ten steps for you could be a lifelong journey for them with mountains to climb. Bugs are important too!

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I found a unique picture while I was scrolling for my insect friends and being one that was VERY VERY dangerous.