Insect Ponderings
Tagged as: Oct 15Well seeing as how there have been more ants as of late, I’ve had a few thoughts that have crossed my mind. Because ants do that. They inspire me.
What would life be like without insects?
Well there’d be less annoyance because ants wouldn’t invade your house. Then again, who’s going to clean up those little bits of food that you’ve dropped and are unaware that they’re there?
Structures would be more sound because termites wouldn’t get to the wood that holds it together. But then how are you going to justify spending lots of money on rebuilding?
You won’t get stung by bees, wasps, and more. However, honey is very good. And good for you. And it doesn’t expire because of its antibacterial properties “as a result of the low water activity causing osmosis, hydrogen peroxide effect, and high acidity” (ref. Wikipedia’s article about honey).
As you’re walking, you won’t get attacked by a swarm of gnats that endlessly annoy you. But then you won’t get amusing things like gnats helping the Indians win their game.
All in all, even though there are lots and lots of things that I don’t particularly care for about ants. However, I’ve learned from reading Foundation and Earth that perhaps making worlds into what they were not intended has many unintended and distasteful consequences. So let’s leave everything as it was intended in its beautiful and wonderful balance. Even if it can bug us to no end. Sorry, I had to. 
You’ve been pecked to death by chickens lately, haven’t you? First fire drills complete with pubic hair, then cuts & now insects!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-0 :-0 :-0
@Jill
Haha you’re right, it’s been interesting. Well either that or I haven’t had anything better to write about. You know, like life. Or how amazing something in my life was. Or how I’m making super progress on productive things. Ah oh well.
Well, at least we can say (knock wood) that you haven’t had overwhelming tragedy to write about either! I hope.
@Jill
That’s very true. We all have things to be thankful for.
I think you meant “what would life be without insects?”
Well..it’s be one big stinking pile, that is for sure!! Maggots feed on dead flesh and become flies, birds feed on flies and all manner of insects are part of the cycle of life and cleaning up the “garbage.”
Bees pollinate and they aren’t the only pollinator. I believe many other insects end up pollinating and cross-pollinating. Granted I am not a big fan of insects but they do serve a purpose - they are low on the food chain! Get rid of them and no birds and lizards and who knows what all.
Unfortunately there are also insects that feed on US while we are living like bedbugs (eeee!) mosquitos, lice and ticks.
But back to maggots - they serve a very useful purpose. I read a book about the role they play in the breakdown of flesh. I think the book was called, “Corpse” Yeah…I am intrigued by forensic stuff, goes back to “Quincy”! and of course I’ve read the Patricia Cornwell books…
Oops I did mean “life without insects” and not “life with insects.” Glad to know that someone is actually reading what I’m writing!
Good point about the trash cleanup. That is definitely true and something that we don’t think about very much because it happens already. But I’m sure that if it were to stop, we’d notice soon enough!
I’m not fond at all of the insects that feed on us. Bedbugs? Ugh. I’ve never actually seen a bed with them, but just the thought of it grosses me out to no end. Have you seen/been on a bed with them?
Well the most forensic stuff that I’ve encountered is probably watching CSI on television, but we probably can’t talk at great length about that since you’ve likely not seen it.