This Really Bugs Me: Insects and Monsters.
Highlights of insect encounters this summer:
Ants In Your Pants
The expression “ants in your pants” doesn’t give the ants credit for what they can accomplish in a short period of time. It’s brave and bold work to dash up a pant leg and bite the hell out of someone who is simply watering the plants or perhaps sitting on a bench in contemplation. It’s uncalled for, though.
Yellow jackets
The salvia that is now thriving here was hard-won. Thanks to the friend who offered to let me dig some up. Apologies to the yellow jackets. I didn’t mean to intrude upon your nest with that scoop of the shovel. I’ve got to hand it to you, though; you absolutely won that fight. If any of my friends’ neighbors were watching and wondering what was happening as I dramatically tried to fight off the swarm, they did indeed get in my socks. Shocking, but I’m fine.
Three Lunas
In one week, I saw a gorgeous Luna moth that someone had removed from a tree and was toting around on her arm. I wished she hadn’t taken this newly emerged moth on that little trip, but I did enjoy seeing it. Luna moths are giant and luminous, pale green with faux eyes on their wings. A few days later, on a different trail, I saw a neon green caterpillar munching and scrunching its way along, wondrously plump. When I looked it up, I discovered that it was a Luna month caterpillar. One of my beloved cats is named Luna. She needed some extra care and attention that week. It was a Lunaful time.
The Beetles
Walking with a friend, I saw a brown caterpillar crossing the path. We waited for it to get a little farther across, so it didn’t get stepped on. When I identified it, I realized it becomes one of those moths that looks like a mini hummingbird (Nessus sphinx). Then I spotted a large, shiny, black beetle. So lovely! But sadly, dead. “We’d better take this with us,” I said. Because what else would we do? My friend shook her head. While she was not in agreement, she supports my choices.
Later that week, I was cleaning out my closet and reached into a purse and found a huge iridescent emerald June Beetle! Delightful. I must have stashed it there and forgotten. Its color is unearthly. Actually, no, it is quintessentially “Earthly.”
The Earth is Glorious
This miraculous planet is filled with living things. Some of them are easy to relate to for most people, like cats and dogs. And some, like insects, many people find scary, repulsive, and hard to be around but bring joy to others. It is our duty and privilege to coexist with the extraordinary range of other living beings on Earth. To share space, appreciate, and learn from each other. Let each other be ourselves as much as possible without causing harm.
We, as humans in this time and place, generally speaking, do a terrible job at this.
This really bugs me.
The Current Administration is Monstrous
The fascist behavior of our president and his stable of enablers is a travesty. Entrusted with the stewardship of this remarkable country, they are mostly showing utter disdain for it and for life. A pregnant woman, a rare and endangered ecosystem, an abused animal, a hardworking parent, a hungry child, a victim of sexual assault. Truly, nothing appears to matter but money for a handful of already extremely rich people, and enthusiastic ass-kissing of a brain-addled, malignant narcissist.
This really bugs me.
Many people are working tirelessly to protect our planet, our people, and living beings. May they have strength.
I wish you, your loved ones, and all beings a safe and healthy world.
If this article made you uncomfortable, definitely don’t read “Arachnophobes, Don’t Read This Article,” coming soon!
Shore up your boundaries for this challenging time
Develop deeper relationships with Nature
This really bugs me. Do you have some interesting insect encounters to share?
I love this. There’s so many insects out there doing their thing every day. And other critters. I had a sad reckoning this summer that the invasive jumping worms are all over my property, and there really no way to bring that back. And they destroy the soil tilth. I hope Mama nature can figure something out to help with this.
Thanks and I hope so too Missy!
Thanks Mara for your reflections on these amazing remarkable creatures. I have been moved recently seeing the hundreds of dead earthworms on the shoulder of the road I travel on my frequent bike rides. So many struck me as a loss. Yet, that is there nature to go for moisture as part of their life cycle and the heat of the road shortens their migration and dehydration ends that journey. Somehow that softened my sadness. Wanted to share that. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing Terri. I understand your reaction. Maybe they become food for something else? I always hope nature figures out something better in the big picture.