Question: what interests you about insects?

Tom Dally answered on 6 Mar 2020: last edited 6 Mar 2020 1:32 am

I think I love insects so much because they are so important for life on Earth. They pollinate the plants that feed us and other animals, recycle nutrients in the soil to keep it fertile for plants, and remove waste from our environment (the African Savannah would be very messy without dung beetles). They are prey for a whole range of birds and mammals (and other insects), while parasitic insects, like some wasps, help keep other insect populations under control. They also have this amazing range of cool behaviours, like farming! There are species of ant that actually farm aphids for the honeydew they produce. Insects can also be social, like the honeybee, and have really complex societies. Honeybees even have a form of language, called the waggle dance, which foragers use to tell each other where the best flowers can be found. Insects are also absolutely beautiful! Check out images of Jewel beetles, Orchid bees, or Ruby-tailed wasps. But ultimately, I think I like insects because they are so different from us.