Avoid the ‘death by flip-flop’ scenario LOVE BUGS
By Katie Kane Shipka
Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist
As I was relaxing at the end of yoga class, I suddenly heard “whap, whap, whap” and looked up to see a woman killing an insect with her flip-flop.
I was upset she, or anyone, would do that, especially since the insect wasn’t harming or threatening her.
I paused to think of why people hate insects so much and how that hate can be turned into knowledge and eventually respect.
Insects have been on the Earth as long as we have, and some even longer. They probably will be here long after we are gone, most likely because of their remarkable adaptation abilities.
The most successful animals have the ability to adapt and evolve – to fit into a niche and to develop defense mechanisms for survival.
Three of these adaptations are:
Structural: Camouflage, such as the green grasshoppers and katydids blending against tree leaves.
Physiological: Such as the compound eyes of the housefly that can see that flyswatter coming before you strike.
Behavioral: As when we find insects such as spiders looking for a warm place in our homes to spend during the cold winter months.
These are just a few of the many ways insects adapt to become successful in their particular environment.
How can we better understand their fascinating world so we can learn and appreciate insects? It begins with you – the reader, the parent, grandparent, teacher or any adult companion of children.
Every evening when my children were young, we read before bedtime, often about honeybees or other insects or mammals, to develop an appreciation of the world around us. We enjoyed our backyard that was full of curious and fascinating creatures to learn about, identify and appreciate.
If an insect finds its way into your home, keep a “bug jar” handy to catch and release it outside.
Our home has always been a “no kill zone.”
Keeping a journal is a great way to review and remember what has been discovered and to enlarge upon that information.
Bug Day at Mill Creek MetroParks is another educational way to share the “up close and personal” experience with insects. Watch their website for the next one.
Even though our children are not innately afraid of insects and are curious about them, we as adults seem to pass our fear and hate to them, mostly because we are ignorant of how beneficial they actually are.
Admittedly, some insects are vectors of disease, but without the pollinators such as bees and butterflies, it is estimated we would lose about 80 percent of our fruits and vegetables.
That alone should convince us to admire and respect insects.
Our gardens need beneficial insects such as spiders to control harmful insects.
Before assuming an insect is bad, bring it to the clinic at the OSU Extension office for proper identification.
The study of the psychology of attractiveness dictates that most people prefer young, fuzzy, soft animals that resemble Disney characters.
Youthful faces, large innocent eyes, thin or pleasantly plump bodies – think Bambi and Thumper – are most popular.
Understandably, insects do not even come close to these loveable characters.
Sudden reactions to killing something just because it is there tells me we need to help everyone learn more about the fascinating world of insects in our environment.
We can help our children and ourselves develop appreciation through education, hands-on experiences, journaling, hiking, observation and learning proper terminology.
If we guide our next generation to have an understanding through information about the smaller forms of life, we just might avoid “death by flip-flop” in the future.
Consider a 4-H insect project with your family: http://go.osu.edu/2016familyguide.
Learn about pollinators and good bugs in your yard at http://u.osu.edu/beelab/.