Beth’s Bug Blog — ecosystem

Hoverflies are the unsung heroes of the insect world; pollinators, pest controllers, and master mimics all rolled into one. So next time you see a tiny “wasp” hovering nearby, don’t swat it away…thank it instead!

Longhorned beetles are the dashing lumberjacks of the insect world:  hardworking, highly adapted, and dressed to impress with antennae that stretch for days.

Ever heard of a bug that looks like it time-traveled from the Jurassic era? Meet Platerodrilus, aka the trilobite beetle, a bizarre insect found in Southeast Asia’s rainforests. While the males look like typical beetles, the females steal the show with their flat, segmented bodies that resemble ancient trilobites.

Bringing a fresh Christmas tree home can sometimes mean inviting tiny, harmless bugs like aphids, spider mites, or even spiders along for the ride. To keep your tree festive and pest-free, give it a good shake, inspect for critters, and vacuum up any strays. With a few simple precautions, you can enjoy your tree and its natural charm—minus the unexpected guests!

Promethea moths might not have the fame of the monarch or the mystique of the luna moth, but they hold their own in the world of lepidopteran legends. Next time you see a dark silhouette fluttering through the forest, take a closer look—it might just be the Promethea moth, proving that nature has a knack for high fashion.