It’s somehow the holidays again. The world of insects is vast and the sheer volume of species, sizes, and colors is huge. Although Western Exterminator is the leader in eliminating and removing insects from homes, even I am willing to admit that there are some beautiful insects out there. Nature never ceases to amaze.
That got me wondering. Was it possible to find beautiful insects that resembled holiday decorations? Not that I would want anyone hanging insects instead of ornaments, but could I find some? The answer, of course, is yes.
Mistletoe Beetle
A spotted flower beetle that can be up to 24 millimeters in length. There is nothing particularly remarkable about the Mistletoe beetle, other than the fact it comes in metallic green and red colors that make it look a lot like the plant that people kiss under during the holidays. I would not recommend replacing your sprig of mistletoe with a bunch of these beetles, however.
Jewel Beetle
The is actually a rather generic term for a whole array of brightly colored beetles. When it comes to vivid colors and configurations, you can’t go wrong with beetles and caterpillars. Jewel beetles come in a wide variety of sizes and all kinds of colors. They appear sort of metallic in color and there is even one kind that looks like it’s wearing a sweater. Some of them are wood-boring beetles, so watch out for your trees.
Devil’s Flower Mantis
Mantises come in some great colors and shapes, but few are as colorful as the Devil’s Flower Mantis. Looking at them from the top down, they actually appear brownish and the irregular shape of their legs and back make them look like leaves. However, when they stand up in their threat pose to ward off potential predators, they show off their colors. White, red and green are dominant. Devil’s Flower Mantises are popular among those who like to keep insects as pets.
Cecropia Moth Caterpillar
This caterpillar looks like it’s crawling along with tiny Christmas tree ornaments stuck all over it. Next to the variety of colors in the world of beetles, caterpillars come in some amazing shapes, sizes and colors. Just be careful, much of the time the dazzling and colorful spines and hairs are poisonous. The Cecropia Moth caterpillar turns into the rather colorful and beautiful Cecropia Moth. It is the largest moth in North America and females can have a wingspan up to six inches.
Eastern Lubber Grasshopper
Native to the central and southern states in the U.S. it is probably the most colorful and distinctive of the grasshoppers in North America. They can get as big as three inches in length and come with those bizarre and unique colors. The only problem is that they can sometimes become pests when too many of them show up and start devouring crops and plants.
So there you go, some strikingly beautiful and dazzling insects that could almost be Christmas or holiday ornaments. Of course, if you find that your home has been invaded by bugs or rodents far less cheery, then feel free to call in the Western Exterminator experts to get rid of them. If you’re looking to have your business decorated for the holiday, be sure to contact our sister company at Ambius for professional holiday decor.
Have a great holiday!
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