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.

Regal Fritillary.  These gorgeous butterflies flit over the prairies and feed on butterflies.