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MO Bugs
Life and Times of Missouri Insects
When we think of insects we typically
think of creepy crawling 6-legged creatures out of our
nightmares. Thanks to the many horror films produced in the past
50 years, "Bugs" have gotten a bad rap. Well, I am here to set
the record straight..."Bugs' are just plain COOL! After all,
where else in the animal kingdom can a creature survive 9 days
without a head? Or breed and live totally in petroleum?
The vast numbers of insects is mind
boggling, many estimate that they out number us 9 to 1. There
are approximately 1,000,000 insect species and more being
discovered all the time. Beetles alone number roughly 300,000
species. WOW! a third of all insects are beetles. Every square
inch of our backyards has some form of insect. Not to mention
the ones that have taken up residence on our bodies! I can hear
you all now...EWE!!! Possibly, but even these microscopic
insects serve their purpose.
All articles and photos are by
FOLNC Volunteer Shelley Cox.
Pill Bug.
We take Tums now, but these guys were medicine to our
forefathers.
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