credit: Rosie Hopkins

We’ve come to appreciate the work of bees – sometimes only out of self interest because the honey bee makes a delicious healthy spread for us. There are  many different types of pollinators helping to fertilise plants. Added to this wonderful world which we tramp over are the insects, spiders, caterpillars, beetles – an immense mini world.

There are over 350,000 species of beetles identified in the world and many more unidentified. List of beetles

It is a long heard view that when the human race becomes extinct (perhaps by its own actions) that the cockroach will take over the world. Indeed the image we have of aliens is often one of an insect like being.

Sometimes we even transform.

“As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect.”― Franz Kafka, The Metamorphosis

Often associated with death and decay, because they do such a good job of cleaning up remains, mini creatures get a bad press. Gardeners are very choosy about which ones they like on their plants and which ones end up in a beer trap.

But take some time out and observe how these fantastic beasts survive in their habitat which we share with them.

And if you do perhaps take a photo:

• Interesting Moths – Supplemental
• Poplar Hawk Moths – Getting ‘Fresh’!

Puss Moth caterpillar Credit: Bell