You might picture lush forests, rolling hills, and scaling mountains when thinking of nature’s bounty. While these all add a beautiful backdrop to our world, they only provide us with views and places we could visit and call home. But what about our tiny residents—the bugs? Creepy crawlies or annoying pests, we happen to overlook their importance to the ecosystem. Here is a fresh perspective on enjoying nature’s bounty more as we appreciate the things insects make for humans.
Honey From Bees
Honeybees make the sweet golden liquid we love to drizzle on our waffles, pancakes, and yogurt. Raw honey is packed with antioxidants, enzymes, and antimicrobial properties. Here is an interesting fact you probably didn’t know about honeycombs: the beeswax found in honeycombs contains over 300 chemical compounds. Beeswax is an incredibly complex creation that adds subtle flavors to the honey stored within the honeycomb.
Spider Silk
The strongest natural fiber found in the wild is spider silk. With its impressive strength-to-weight ratio, it’s no wonder these beautiful webs last for weeks without rotting. Scientists have explored ways to use spider silk in numerous applications, such as medical sutures, bulletproof vests, and even bridges.
Silkworm Cloth
Silk is the most luxurious material found in nature. Loved for centuries by royalty and families that could afford it, this material is spun into cocoons by silkworms, also called caterpillars. After caterpillars munch on enough mulberry leaves, they use a tiny organ in their heads to exude a milky, thin material that we know as silk.
Butterflies
There’s no denying the beauty of butterflies, with their wide range of vibrant colors and patterns. Their naturally stunning wings have inspired artists and fashion designers for centuries. Creative individuals have used the wings as their muse, crafting familiar products like lockets and framed artwork using deceased butterflies’ wings. Take a close look at these flying beauties next time—their natural finery may also inspire you!
Beetles
Be one with nature, literally! Beetles aren’t typically seen as fashionable creatures, but their wings disprove that. Some species of beetles have wings with iridescent and metallic colors that many prize as an exotic, eco-friendly material for designing jewelry, accessories, and even clothing. Various Indigenous communities have used beetle wings in their traditional garments and ornaments for centuries.
It’s amazing that insects like butterflies and beetles contribute to our earth’s biodiversity and inspire human creativity.
Ants
While ants may seem like a nuisance to some, they are also fascinating creatures many have been using in traditional medicine for centuries. Chinese and Southeast Asian medical practitioners have been incorporating certain ant species into their treatments for various conditions such as arthritis and viral infections. Ants produce formic acid with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, making them useful in various medical applications.
Nature’s full of beautiful things, including big contributions from our small friends with more than two legs. Let’s enjoy nature’s bounty again by thanking the insects for giving humans the things they make. After all their hard work, let’s ensure their habitat continues to bloom as they continue to contribute.
