Ants can carry objects up to 50 times their weight.
3 500
There are over 3,500 species of mosquitoes.
5
A bee has five eyes. A fly’s special compound eyes allow it to see everything around — even behind it!
More Fun Facts About Insects
Insects are everywhere!
Insects live on land and in the air. Some species live in water, but few live in the oceans.
The Leaf Insect
Leaf insects Phylliidae are masters of camouflage. They live in tropical forests where it easily blends in with green leaves.
Peacock Butterfly
Did you know that the peacock butterfly Aglais io has four large “eyes” with blue dots on its wings? These “eyes” help it scare off predators.
Glasswing Butterfly
Can you guess why the South American butterfly Greta oto is called the “glasswing butterfly”? It’s because of its transparent wings. Birds don’t hunt this butterfly because it doesn’t taste good to them!
🐞 Ladybug on a Palm
The largest collection of ladybug-related items is 6,047 items, achieved by Sheri Cummings (USA) in Lake in the Hills, Illinois, USA, as of 28 February 2022.
Stag Beetle
The stag beetle’s “horns” are actually large jaws that it uses to break down wood. This beetle is found in Europe — you might spot one someday!
Cicada
Cicadas are among the loudest insects in the world — their song can be louder than a vacuum cleaner! Some cicadas live underground for 17 years before coming up to sing and find a mate. Only male cicadas sing. They do not bite or sting humans.
🪲The Sacred Scarab – An Insect with a Solar Story
In Ancient Egypt, the scarab beetle was highly respected. Egyptians noticed how the beetle rolled balls of dung across the ground — it reminded them of the Sun moving across the sky. Because the Sun was the most important god, they considered the scarab sacred. Scarabs were painted on walls and made into amulets, jewelry, and seals.
The Stick Insect
Stick insects are fascinating creatures that look like… sticks! They can grow up to 35 cm long, with thin or flat bodies that resemble twigs or leaves. They’re camouflage masters — often green or brown — and can stay perfectly still for a long time, like they’re frozen.
Popular Sayings About Insects 🐝🦗🪲
Here are some well-known American idioms and expressions that involve insects. Many of them are used in everyday conversation to describe emotions, behavior, or situations:
“Busy as a bee” ▶️ Used to describe someone who is always working hard and staying active. 🔸 Example: She’s been as busy as a bee getting everything ready for the party.
“Bug someone” ▶️ To annoy or irritate someone. 🔸 Example: Stop tapping your pencil — it’s really bugging me!
“Have butterflies in your stomach” ▶️ To feel nervous or anxious, especially before something important. 🔸 Example: I had butterflies in my stomach before my first performance.
🐜 Ants in your pants” ▶️ Said about someone who can’t sit still because they’re excited or restless. 🔸 Example: The kids had ants in their pants waiting for the birthday cake.
“Stir up a hornet’s nest” ▶️ To cause trouble or create a big problem by doing or saying something. 🔸 Example: His comment stirred up a real hornet’s nest at the meeting.
