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When most people think about bugs, they think pests. Those obnoxious ants, those pesky mosquitos, stinkbugs who live up to their name, termites who destroy property, and those seemingly indestructible cockroaches...but there is a lot of beauty to be found in the insect world, and not just with butterflies (but definitely some butterflies). These amazing insect photos prove that.
According to the Smithsonian Institute, there are more than 900 thousand species of insects out there. Some may be the stuff of nightmares, but there are definitely a few that are pretty cool looking and even useful. Honeybees pollinate farms, earthworms spend their days making soil better for crops, and ladybugs, dragonflies and praying mantises eat other pests that destroy plants and harvests. We’ve found a few of the most fascinating bugs out there...and don’t worry all you arachnophobes out there, spiders fall under a different class of animal.
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1
Common Horse-Fly
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A horse is a horse, of course, unless its a horse-fly. While its tempting to marvel at the beautifully colored eyes of a Tabanidae, its safer to look from a distance because they've got quite a bite and a thirst for blood.
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2
Grasshopper
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This happy little herbivore is mostly harmless, though in extreme situations, some grasshoppers can change color and behavior...even forming destructive swarms of locusts.
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3
Blue Morpho Butterfly
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These bright blue bugs are some of the largest butterflies in the world. When their wings are closed they camouflage with a dull brown, its only when they open their wings that you can see their beautiful iridescent color shine.
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4
Ladybugs
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Not only does the petite ladybug kill sap-sucking aphids that wreak havoc on gardens, they're also known to grant wishes if they land on you.
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5
Glasswing Butterfly
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With its transparent wings, the Greta Oro is like a tiny delicate bit of flying stained glass art, largely found in Central America.
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6
Creobroter
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This bizarre flower mantis looks like someone took pieces of three insects and put them all together.
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7
Thorn Bug
Ed Reschke//Getty Images
Every rose has its thorn...bug. Or more accurately, many fruit and ornamental trees in Southern Florida have these spiky insects crawling on them.
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8
Cecropia caterpillar
Elyse Fournier / EyeEm
This bright colored surreal looking creature will eventually turn into North America's largest moth.
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9
Dragonflies
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It's probably a little rude to peek at these dragonflies in the midst of procreating, but its kind of marvelous that their mating ritual forms a sideways heart-shape.
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10
Orchid Mantis
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This delicate pink and white creature spotted in the popular videogame Animal Crossing: New Horizons is actually real...and spectacular.
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11
Firefly
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Also called a lightning bug depending on the part of the country you live in. These magical creatures come with their own flashlight, which is used beacon to attract the opposite sex and prey. A bunch of them twinkling in a mason jar is pretty magical (as long as you remember to let them out after!)
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12
Blue Stink Bug
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Sure, there is the smell to contend with, but really only if they feel threatened by nearby danger. Let them be and enjoy their magnificent colors odor-free.
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13
Hummingbird Hawk-moth
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Yes, this does really belong in the insect gallery. This amazing bird-like creature is actually part of the Lepidoptera like other moths and butterflies.
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14
Lantern Fly
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Even though Pyrops candelaria is considered a pest since it sucks the life out of trees and plants, its still pretty awesome looking.
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15
Woolly Bear Caterpillar
Bob Hilscher//Getty Images
This little creature is so soft and dainty and when it emerges from its cocoon, it becomes a tiger butterfly. Legend has it the bands on this caterpillar can predict how severe a winter will be. The more black, the worse the weather.
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16
Luna Moth
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These delicate giants are found across North America, and you can spot their lime green color from a distance.
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17
Giant Prickly Stick Insect
Paul Starosta//Getty Images
Could be a leaf. Could be a bug. Hard to tell. But they curl their tail like a scorpion and give off a defensive odor if they're feeling threatened.
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18
Orchid Bee
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Not all bees are black and yellow. The Euglossines have shiny jewel toned coloration and appear almost metallic.
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19
Mormon Butterfly
Robbie Ross//Getty Images
Do you think the creators of Deadpool got their inspiration from this strikingly colored butterfly?
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20
Rainbow Grasshopper
Shawn E Thomas//Getty Images
These rare insects are occasionally spotted in the Southwestern United States, and with their bright colors you won't miss them.
Angel Madison is a commerce editor for Hearst, covering LEGOs, trending products, toys, plus-size fashion, wellness, home, tech and more. Previously she covered entertainment, pop culture, and parenting for a variety of publications. When she's not at her desk you can find her hanging with her daughter and cat, finding offbeat roadside attractions, or doing crafts.