Helpful Insects

Although insects are commonly thought of as pests in just about every region of the world, one must take the time to realize their helpfulness to our everyday lives. Without insects operating in their ecosystems, our world would be a very different place. It takes a "macro-type" vision of their world to truly understand their importance in our own.

The Honey Bee
Take the Honey Bee for example. Without Honey Bees, we would not have honey OR 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 liquids.

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...

Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants, as destructive as they may be to trees and homes, will feed upon rotted logs and fallen trees in the forest, effectively turning these dead and dying structures into sawdust that can be reabsorbed into the soil. These ants are a perfect example of the cyclical nature of things in the wild.

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.

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 :)