Unfair reputation...

Today in the school, I was called for an emergency. As I walked I thought of short-circuits or some kid's broken arm or a snake. As it turned out there was a large, rare-looking insect which was causing all this panic.I caught and put it in the box.

I am amazed at the amount of  fear and animosity insects generate in the grown-ups. And its rubbing-off onto children, which is sad. I find many children are repelled by insects now a days. And no one seems to be making the case for insects. Movies like Antz and Bugs Life haven't really dispelled the fear of insects from our children. 

Its grossly unfair that insects should have such a bad reputation. Insects are one of the most ancient species still living on the Earth and they live in such large numbers. Insects (like amphibian) are sensitive to the environmental changes and so we should prey that they don't disappear but thrive. Yet society at large seem to have written them off.

What impresses me most is the sheer variety of insects that we see. Just turn-on the terrace-light one evening and wait'n watch. They will gather in a wide variety on your terrace. Each is like an exquisitely carved jewel with shiny colours and symmetric patterns.

The insect that we found in the school was most likely a beetle called 'Stromatium barbatum'. Its also known as wood borer - a rather dangerous insect if you happen to be in the timber business. I got to know this from an interesting site on Indian Insects run by zoology people from a local college ! 

I showed the insect to the 8-9 year-olds, and after initial screams they were willing to take a look. The beautiful patterns on the back of the insect must have attracted them. Some of them also held him in the hand - which was a minor victory for the insect kingdom. During the lunch time two girls took the box out and let him loose into the trees. We hope he isn't drilling into some ones furniture now.