Although insects are commonly thought of as
pests in just about every region of the world, one must take
the time to realize their benefits to our everyday lives. Without insects operating in their ecosystems, our world would be a very different place. It takes a "micro-level" vision of their world to truly understand their importance to our own.
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Honey Bee
Take the Honey Bee for example. Without Honey Bees,
we would not have honey nor beeswax. The red food dye known
as 'cochineal' is made from the crushed bodies of a species
of insect native to South America for example. Honey Bees would be the very same insect as
used by the ancient Aztec Indians almost 600 years ago in a variety of roles throughout their advanced civilization. Before sugar cane was introduced in all of Europe (about 700
AD), people would use honey to sweeten their intake of various
foods and drinks.
Bees in particular also assist in the
process known as pollination. Pollination is the process
of development for a flower's seeds. Flower seeds must be fertilized
by pollen from the same or another flower in order to reproduce.
Pollen can then be dispersed through the wind or transferred from
the bodies of insects such as bees. Some insects are naturally drawn to the flowers
through scent, color and the sweetness of their nectar. As
they traverse the surface of these flowers, their bodies will
unknowingly pickup the pollen and be ready for transport to
a new location.
The act of pollination is actually more important
to the living and working world than is the production of
honey or beeswax! So imagine now a world where pollination is not possible... |
Fruit Flies and Disease Research
An example is of modern scientists breeding
a particular species of fruit fly to help them understand genetic or
inherited diseases in humans. Without this type of research, our knowledge of what ails humanity would not be as advanced as it is. When such a common "pest" and annoyance to our everyday lives can become a helper or savior of countless future lives, one starts to develop a certain level of respect in the complexity that is an insect.
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Field Crickets
Field Crickets are known to feed upon the eggs and pupae of what we might consider indoor "pests". Though they feed on plant matter when outside, they can also be seen feeding off of animal remains. |
Blister Beetles
Though they themselves can cause serious blistering to contacted human skin when threatened or disturbed, the chemical they secrete from their joints - called Cantharidin - is ironically used in some wart removal products.
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House Centipede
These fast-moving and grotesque-looking insects are actually quite the nice predator to have in the under-workings of a home. Though sometimes found in bath tubs and basins - scaring whomever happens to find it there - the house centipede is known for going after larger insects including cockroaches. So which would you rather have meandering about your home? House centipede or cockroach? |
Lady Bugs
Lady Bugs are your ultimate garden protector, feeding on insects bent on the destruction of your plants.
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Spiders
Love 'em or loath 'em, they serve a greater purpose that creeping you out. Spiders are the ultimate insect exterminators and work to keep the insect population in check by feeding on just about anything with six legs. |
Dragonflies
Dragonflies love to eat insects. What this means for you is population control of the little critters.In particular, dragonflies love to dine on the all mighty mosquito.
So next time you're ready to handle that 'bug'
or 'insect' its untimely demise, remember that they may have
just done something good for our world. Perhaps just open
the door or window and usher the lil' fella out and along his/her way. You'll thank them later for it :) |
