I believe the major reason people tend to be largely ignorant about the number and diversity of bugs in their midst is that they simply don't see them. Let's face it - bugs are small. If you would ask the average person to describe the bugs in their backyard on any given day in the summer, they would probably come back with a list of mosquitoes, flies, bees, butterflies...maybe a moth or a wasp. My guess is that there are dozens of bugs present but people just aren't aware they are there.
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| Golden-haired flower beetle |
I think we should start a new pastime - Bugging! Lots of people go out into nature to look for birds. They are "birders" going "birding". Their goal may be to photograph the beautiful flying creatures or to check off a new species on a list they faithfully keep or simply to enjoy the color and complexity of each unique bird. Why can't we do the same thing with bugs?
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| Agapostemon Bee |
One of my favorite activities for kids (or adults) is "bug bingo". Each participant gets a card with a mixture of names of common bugs: bee, butterfly, caterpillar, ant, etc. As you hike along a trail or explore an area, each participant tries to fill their card first by spotting the listed insect before anyone else. It is a fun event that is also educational. I think we should expand the idea and create checklists of bugs that can be found in a particular area and encourage anyone exploring to try to fill in their checklist with their sightings for the day.
Maybe if people were more used to looking for bugs in their midst, they would start to become aware of just how many there are and how beautiful each one is!
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| Metallic wood boring beetle |
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