Hate Bugs? These Gorgeous Insects Will Make You Change Your Mind
If thinking about insects gives you the creeps, it may be time to reconsider.
Not all bugs are creepy-crawlies. In fact, some of them are downright beautiful. If you're not convinced, these colorful insects are about to change your mind.
Rosy Maple Moth
In their caterpillar form, rosy maple moths feed on maple leaves. When they grow up to be moths, they don't eat anything at all.
Fungus Beetle
Despite the gross name, fungus beetles can be quite beautiful. They get their title from the fungi, molds and mildews they eat.
Orchid Mantis
Beautiful pink and white orchid mantises have adapted to blend into their environments. Their special coloration and shape make them look like flowers so they can sneak up on their unsuspecting prey.
Rainbow Shield Bug
Rainbow shield bugs are hardy little insects. Not only do they not have many natural predators, but they're resistant to many insecticides. In fact, their diet consists of a number of plants that are poisonous to other living things.
White-Lined Sphinx Moth
Sphinx moths also are known by the names "hawk moth" and "hummingbird moth," thanks to their uniquely fluttering flight pattern. Some sphinx moths have feeding tubes more than 10 inches long.
Dancing Jewel
Males of this damselfly species attract mates by dancing. In this display, the dancing jewels show off their vibrantly colored legs and waggle their bellies.
Indonesian Weevil
This colorful weevil from the genus eupholus is one of the most vibrant weevils on earth. They survive on toxic yam leaves and their bright color is likely an indicator to potential predators that they're not good to eat.
Rainbow Grasshopper
Rainbow grasshoppers are found throughout North America in a range stretching from southern Canada to northern Mexico and have a number of colorful nicknames, including painted grasshopper, barber pole grasshopper and Uncle Sam.
Oblong-Winged Katydid
Though green katydids are by far the most common, studies suggest that a pink coloration may be more genetically dominant in North America. So why aren't most katydids pink? It's probably because the non-green varieties are the easiest to spot on plants and the most likely to be eaten.
Frog-Legged Leaf Beetle
The frog-legged leaf beetle's big powerful legs are probably used for leg wrestling. While the beetles have never been spotted in a leg-on-leg fight, the fact that the females don't have similar legs and other beetle species use their legs for a similar purpose makes these encounters likely.
Tiger Moth
These moths get their name from their tiger-like coloration. Their moth caterpillars are big and fuzzy, which is how they got the nickname "woolly bears." According to legend, you can predict a particularly nasty winter based on the woolly bear's appearance.
Jewel Beetle
Jewel beetles are the largest family of beetles, with more than 15,000 species. They're famous for their iridescence and bold colors. They're also spectacular creatures, with one species of Canadian jewel beetle said to be able to detect forest fires more than 50 miles away using infrared.
Picasso Bug
This insect is aptly named after the Spanish modern painter Pablo Picasso, whose artwork looked a bit like the pattern on the bug's back. Under stress, the Picasso bug releases a strong, stinky stench. The bright colors are likely for warning predators.
Flower Beetle
Flower beetles are a type of scarab beetle, using their short antennae to sniff out flowers for nectar and pollen. In the magnificent flower beetle, males have large forked horns which they use to fight other males to attract the females' attention.
Blue Pansy Butterfly
Found throughout Africa, Australia and parts of Asia, the blue pansy butterfly has a special flying pattern that keeps other competing butterflies out of its territory.
Peacock Spider
While technically not an insect, this colorful little peacock spider is adorable nonetheless. They're famous not only for their bright colors but also for a spirited dance the males do to attract mates.
Can't get enough of rainbow creatures? Click HERE to see the coolest colorful animals you've never heard of.