Creepy Crawlies or Friends in Disguise?
It’s easy to be scared of bugs: they look weird, some are downright dangerous, and we could do without them in the shower. But some bugs are misunderstood buddies who don’t mean any harm! Let’s dive into which ones are friend and which ones are definitely foe.
1. Ladybug
As far as bugs go, there’s nothing less menacing than a ladybug. Sure, they might pee on our hand, and some of them even bite, but that doesn’t really happen unless you bother them. The best thing you can do is leave them to flutter around like flying gooseberries.
2. Bumblebee
Speaking of adorable flying bugs, is there anything cuter than a fat bumblebee? The funniest thing about them is how they live up to their name—floundering around for pollen, minding their own business. It’s intimidating to see them up close, but they’re completely harmless and don’t want any trouble.
3. Tortoise Beetle
We know what you’re thinking. A beetle? Really? Don’t let their name fool you! This little guy often looks exactly like a ladybug. When they don’t, you can witness their awesome translucent shells with interesting patterns throughout. These little herbivores only want leaves and pose no threats to humans.
4. Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly Caterpillar
Butterflies are beautiful enough on their own, but we shouldn’t ignore caterpillars. Though some look downright parasitic, the Swallowtail looks like a bright green cutie pie pulled out of a children’s book. They’re also not toxic to humans, so win-win.
Abigail Staffelbach on Wikimedia
5. Butterfly
Have you ever seen a monarch butterfly land on a dog’s snout? That right there is enough proof of their whimsy. Butterflies are harmless, beautiful insects that mosey around the garden and make the whole world brighter. Springtime isn’t complete without seeing one.
6. Dragonfly
We know, we know! Dragonflies seem pretty scary, but they get a bad rap. These guys are fascinating bugs with pretty colors and a chill attitude. They aren’t dangerous to humans and actually eat mosquitoes—so really, we should thank them.
7. Isopod
Okay, we’re not talking about those freakshow isopods in the ocean. We’re talking about the hilarious “potato bugs” that shamble around basements and look like mini armadillos. They’re not dangerous to humans or pets and are more of a nuisance than anything. Still, they’re pretty cute.
8. Bee Fly
Flies sure are annoying, but you know what makes them better? Bumblebee fuzz. Say hello to the bee fly, a fluffy hybrid of both insects that’s mostly interested in nectar. They do target solitary bees and wasps, but humans are perfectly safe.
Richard Bartz, Munich aka Makro Freak on Wikimedia
9. Rosy Maple Moth
Who knew being fuzzy could get even cuter? Rosy maple moths basically look like cotton candy flying around, and they’re completely harmless to humans. Just keep away from the caterpillars because they’ve been known to cause rashes.
Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren on Wikimedia
10. True Weevil
What Dr. Seuss book did this bug stumble out of? The best thing about this harmless insect is that they have their own fan base! People recognized them as the goofy, lovable bugs they are—complete with a baby elephant trunk.
James Niland from Brisbane, Australia on Wikimedia
Unfortunately, there are a lot of bugs that aren’t cute at all. Even more unfortunate is our need to talk about them. Let’s explore some of the worst insects that clearly belong in the underworld.
1. House Centipede
No. Immediately no. This thing is a travesty. We don’t care that it eats spiders. We don’t care that they mostly keep to themselves. With an ability to bite humans and entirely too many legs, we wish this abomination would stay in the drain.
2. Goliath Birdeater
You know…it’s never good when a spider has “birdeater” in its name. But looking at the size of this demon, it’s easy to see how it scored the moniker. It’s the Godzilla of spiders, complete with dangerous venom (though only to small prey) and a 12-inch leg span. Yeah, no thanks.
Francisco de Menezes Cavalcante Sassi on Wikimedia
3. Amazonian Giant Centipede
Oh, you thought the house centipede was bad? It is, don’t get us wrong, but the Amazonian giant centipede is a few steps above. They don’t attack humans or anything, but that doesn’t mean we’re in the clear; their venom is enough to cause serious pain and localized swelling.
4. Bullet Ant
With a name like that, you know we’re bound for trouble. First of all, these maniacs are massive. Second, their bite is pretty serious. While they won’t send you to the grave, they will cause temporary paralysis—and you bet they’ll hurt.
Graham Wise from Brisbane, Australia on Wikimedia
5. Cockroach
Tarantulas may be terrifying, but your odds of meeting one are blessedly low. Cockroaches, though? Not so much. What makes them so terrible is that they’ll survive anything life throws at them: extreme temperatures, pesticides, and even food deprivation. Heck, take their heads off. They probably won’t even notice.
6. Puss Caterpillar
Remember how we talked about freaky caterpillars? We weren’t kidding. Meet the puss caterpillar, a walking hairball that’s incredibly dangerous to humans. Those bristles are just poisonous spikes waiting to strike, and if they do, you’re looking at burning, rashes, and intense pain.
7. Earwig
There’s good news and bad news. The good news is that earwigs don’t actually burrow into your brain. The bad news is that they’re still earwigs—weird insects with pincers on their butt that hide in our gardens. Appearances aside, they thankfully aren’t dangerous to humans and even help to clear out garden pests.
8. Tarantula Hawk
These wasps aren’t after you unless you’re a tarantula. However, that doesn’t mean you’re entirely safe. Their stings hurt like the dickens, often described as a jolt of electricity that lasts for several minutes. It’s best to keep away from them and their horrifying prey.
Renee Grayson from Las Vegas, USA on Wikimedia
9. Scorpion
Kind of like a crab, kind of like a spider, scorpions are the worst of both worlds. They’re not inherently dangerous to humans, but their stings are painful all the same. Just don’t try to manhandle them and you’ll be fine—and definitely don’t be the kind of person who eats them.
10. Monkey Slug Caterpillar
Caterpillars caught a lot of heat in this list, but we can’t ignore the monkey slug. They’re not really dangerous to humans (though their hair irritates), but they do look like squashed spiders come to life, and for that, we condemn them.
