I love bugs. I find them so cool and interesting, and they serve a lot of great purposes not only for their ecosystems, but for our lives as well.
I know what you’re thinking, “But bugs are ugly and gross and they’re pests!” This can be true in some cases, because not every bug is helpful. However, a lot of the common bugs we see every day are very beneficial organisms that deserve some appreciation.
Now I want to describe a few categories of common household bugs. I’m going to give a few reasons why they are so important, and that when you see them, you should let them live.
Spiders
First, the most frightening of the bunch: spiders. I get it, they’re not the prettiest, nor the most inviting, but they are so important, and honestly a little cute (in my opinion).
The most obvious reason why spiders are so necessary is that they control pests. According to National Geographic, spiders control “insect populations that could otherwise devastate crops. Without spiders to eat pests harmful to agriculture, it’s thought that our food supply would be put at risk.” We would face famine if spiders disappeared, so it’s really important that we keep them alive. They can also get rid of other unwanted household bugs, such as flies and mosquitoes, so keeping them inside isn’t such a bad idea.
According to Decoding Biosphere, some species of spiders even specialize in eating disease-carrying insects, like mosquitoes and ticks. Spiders reduce the populations of these species, which results in minimizing the spread of diseases harmful to both bugs and humans.
Spiders aren’t as deadly as people think, either. Although all spiders produce venom, it’s usually too weak to cause any harm to humans. Only a handful of spiders are dangerous to us, like the black widow or the funnel-web spider, and those aren’t common house spiders in Indiana, so you shouldn’t be afraid!
True Bugs
True bugs, or hemipterans, include a wide variety of insects, but I want to focus on one in particular: cicadas.
These noisy bugs are the subject of a lot of hate during the summer months. A lot of people think they are only good for mating and being a bird’s snack, but they do a lot more than that. They’re my favorite bug, so naturally I’m biased toward them, but seriously, they’re great for the environment.
Aside from being a valuable food source to predators, as the United States Environmental Protection Agency states, cicadas can aerate lawns and improve water filtration in the ground by digging holes when they emerge. Cicadas also add nutrients to the soil as they decompose because, according to the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, when underground, cicada nymphs feed on the roots of trees, which contain water and nutrients from the soil. So, when the adult cicada dies, those nutrients go back into the ground. Pretty cool, right?
Moths
Moths are often considered dull in comparison to butterflies. They are annoying, they eat our clothes, they’re difficult to get rid of, and they’re not as beautiful. Although most of those points are true, it’s important to note that they are more than they lead on to be.
First of all, moths are absolutely gorgeous. Have you seen the rosy maple moth? The luna moth? The atlas moth? Now those are beautiful bugs. Even common moths are ones to appreciate with their incredible wing patterns that feature beautiful shades of brown and exquisite symmetry. But I’m getting off topic. Let’s dive into why moths are necessary for the planet’s health.
One reason why moths are so important is that they are an indicator species. An article by Butterfly Conservation says because moths are found in so many different habitats and are so sensitive to changes, they are very useful in telling the conditions of ecosystems. Observing moths’ numbers and where they’re found can tell us valuable information about the changes in our own environment, like new farming practices, pesticide use, and climate change.
Moths are also pollinators. Since most moth species are nocturnal, they pollinate during the night. Another article by Butterfly Conservation explains that moths are even better pollinators than day-flying insects, like bees. Moths pollinate flowers at faster rates than others, making them a vital insect that needs to be protected.
See? Bugs aren’t as scary and gross as everyone makes them out to be. It’s important to realize why bugs are necessary for the environment, and why they shouldn’t be killed immediately on sight. So next time you see a bug in your house, instead of grabbing a book to throw at it, get a cup and a piece of paper and let it outside.
Evelyn Strauss (she/her) is a freshman studying international studies and human biology.
