17 Cute Bugs for New-Found Creepy-Crawly Appreciation
When we think of bugs, our first reaction may be disgust or fear. However, not all insects are creepy-crawly creatures that we want to avoid. There are some pretty cute bugs out there, and they can be even endearing - tho, of course, beauty (and cuteness) is in the eye of the beholder.
From colorful caterpillars to fuzzy bees, some of these adorable insects are pleasing to the eye and serve important roles in the ecosystem. In this article, we will explore the world of cute bugs and learn more about their unique characteristics and behaviors.
Like these cute bugs? Also, check out our cool bug facts for more from our tiny friends.
17 Striking & Colorful Cute Bugs
1. Ladybug (Coccinellidae)
The ladybug or ladybird beetle is a type of beetle. In the middle ages, a species of this cute bug was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and were called the ‘Beetle of Our Lady.’ That's how the ladybug’s name originated.
The bright red ladybug with black markings is popular, but it's not the only kind. Some ladybugs have yellow or red markings. Ladybugs feed on farm pests like mites, scales, and aphids; farmers love them as they help eliminate those pests with zero pesticide use.
Read more about these cute little beetle’s in our ladybug facts
2. Pink meadow grasshopper
Grasshoppers usually are green or brown. But people have spotted pink meadow grasshoppers in many parts of the world4. These cute bugs are affected by a genetic condition called erythrism. This condition means they overproduce red pigment and very little green or drown.
The bright pink color may be why predators easily pick off the tiny grasshoppers. You will most likely find these cute bugs in the non-arid grasslands of the UK and Asia.
3. Jewel beetles (Buprestidae)
Jewel beetles are brightly colored, mostly iridescent insects. We also call them metallic wood-boring beetles. In the Victorian era and across a number of native cultures, people used jewel beetles as living jewelry5.
There are over 15,000 jewel beetle species, and their colors vary from metallic blue to black, green, or copper. Some scientists say the iridescence of the beetle is camouflage. Some species of this beetle hide their bright bodies under dull dark carapaces.
4. Jumping spiders (Salticidae)
Jumping spiders do not spin webs to catch prey; they jump and pounce on prey instead. With eight eyes, the jumping spider sees in a 360-degree view1. That's what makes them such good hunters.
Some species of jumping spiders are hairy, while others are not. Some exhibit bold colors, while others are brownish. If you check leaf litter, stone clusters, or tree barks, you might find a little jumping spider peeking at you with its big cute eyes.
Related: Flying spider - can spiders fly?
5. Rosy maple moth (Dryocampa rubicunda)
Rosy maple moths are the smallest of silk moths. These cute bugs have thick fuzzy bright yellow, cream, or white bodies. Their wings have pink, red, yellow, white, or cream streaks. Their legs are usually covered in pink fuzz.
If you live in North America, you might have seen little rosy maple moths. They live in deciduous forests and may also be seen in suburban areas. An adult rosy maple moth has no mouth and eats nothing.
Related: Different Types of Moths & Moth Species
6. Teddy bear bee (Xylocopa varipuncta)
Many people believe that all bees have yellow and black bodies. Imagine their surprise when a purely golden bee landed in front of them. The male valley carpenter bee or teddy bear bee has a fuzzy golden body. It has pretty green eyes, making it one of the most adorable bugs ever.
Male valley carpenter bees are less common than females. These cute bugs don't have stingers, so they are harmless. However, if you run into a teddy bear bee, the little guy will do an excellent job of scaring you off. You can also read more about the different types of bees a click away.
7. Baeus
Photo here
The baeus wasp is tiny, but its head and eyes are pretty big. Those attributes make it one of the cutest bugs. This wasp is wingless and parasitizes spiders to survive.
8. Spicebush swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio troilus)
The spicebush swallowtail butterfly is pretty, but its larva is so cute. Its bright color makes it look like a Disney cartoon character. The caterpillar starts green and later becomes yellow or orange.
The spicebush swallowtail caterpillar has markings around its head resembling snake eyes. The yellow and black false eyes disguise the caterpillar as a scary snake to confuse predators3.
Related: Check out our butterfly quotes for more from these gorgeous winged insects.
9. Brimstone butterfly (Gonepteryx rhamni)
We know butterflies to be colorful, showy creatures. But the brimstone butterfly distinguishes itself as a master of disguise. The little guy has light green wings shaped and textured like leaves.
These beautiful insects are rare.
10. Saddleback caterpillar (Acharia stimulea)
The saddleback caterpillar is the larva of the slug moth. Its claim to this cute bugs list is the bright blanket of color around its middle. The blanket is primarily bright green with strips of red and white around the borders.
Those colors are warning colors that signal toxicity to ward off predators. The saddleback caterpillar has spikes along its lower sides, head, and tail. The sting from these spikes is poisonous and painful.
For a few metaphors related to transformation, you might also like our caterpillar quotes.
11. Desert mantis (Eremiaphila braueri)
This cute bug is a very small desert mantis called the common ground mantis. It lives in deserts, dry meadows, and places with meager plant life. Its pale, sandy color allows it to blend quite well with its environment.
The common ground mantis raises its front legs and tiny wings when threatened. The posture may scare off animal predators but looks comical to most people. To see these cute bugs, you'll have to explore their native habitat in the Middle East.
Reare more: Types of Mantis.
12. Acorn weevil (Curculio glandium)
Most people see weevils as terrible creatures. But a close-up view of the acorn weevil could make you love weevils. With its big eyes, a comical nose, and golden brown fuzz, it is one of the cutest bugs ever.
Baby acorn weevils greatly damage acorn seeds, eating them up completely. The best way to keep them from spoiling acorn seeds is to boil the seed at 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
13. Giant comet Moth (Argema mittrei)
These insects are one of the largest moth species; their wingspan can be up to 8 inches.
They are bright yellow with red and purple markings. There are eye spots on each wing. The lower wings have long dark tails.
These cute bugs are native to Madagascar and are also called Madagascar moon moths. Adult comet moths don't eat but live off the fat they store as caterpillars. They will only survive for a week.
14. Domestic silk moth (Bombyx mori)
Have you ever seen a domestic silkworm? Not so cute. But if a silkworm hatched from its cocoon today, you'd find the majestic silk moth. These cute bugs are light brown to blond with cream-colored wings.
A silk moth lives for about three days. During that time, it doesn't eat or fly.
15. Orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatus)
The female orchid mantis is possibly the most beautiful and rarest mantis species. This insect mimics yellow, pink, or white orchid flowers. Its legs look like petals, and its abdomen resembles an orchid lip2.
The orchid mantis’ resemblance to a flower attracts unsuspecting pollinators and confuses predators. People also call it the walking flower mantis, and it is native to southeast Asia.
16. Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi)
The Goliath birdeater is one of the largest spiders in the world. Its leg span is up to 12 inches. This spider would have anyone screaming should they find it in a cupboard. But not to worry, the spider is rare and inhabits the forests of South America.
These spiders use their toxic fangs to hunt prey. They use harpoon-shaped hairs on their bodies as a defense mechanism. Some people call it the Central American puppy spider because of its puppy-like size. For more 8-legged info, check out our spider facts.
17. Red nose lanternfly (Pyrops karenius)
If you are a fan of Rudolf, the reindeer, you'll think this lanternfly species is the cutest bug ever. The insect has a long curved red nose decorated with tiny white spots.
The insect has beautiful dark green wings with yellow spots. The bottom end of the wings may be a darker shade of green or brownish green.
18. Picasso bug (Sphaerocoris annulus)
This colorful bug is truly an art of nature. Its shield-shaped back has a collage of cream, red, blue, green, and black colors.
The Picasso bug is also called the Zulu Hud bug. It is native to tropical and subtropical Africa. When threatened, these cute bugs release a not-so-cute smelly substance. So although they are pretty, they'll stink bomb you if you touch them.
Conclusion
While bugs may not always have the best reputation, plenty of cute and fascinating insects contribute to our planet's beauty and complexity.
These cute bugs remind us of the incredible diversity found in nature. The next time you're out in the early morning dew, take a moment to appreciate the intricate world of bugs surrounding us. You might even discover a new appreciation for these tiny, cute creatures and their essential role in the earth's ecosystem.
| 1 | Hill, D. E. (2010). Use of location (relative direction and distance) information by jumping spiders (Araneae, Salticidae, Phidippus) during movement toward prey and other sighted objectives (pdf). Peckhamia, 83(1), 1-103. |
| 2 | O'hanlon, J. C., Li, D., & Norma-Rashid, Y. (2013). Coloration and morphology of the orchid mantis Hymenopus coronatus (Mantodea: Hymenopodidae). Journal of Orthoptera Research, 22(1), 35-44. |
| 3 | Hossie, T. J., & Sherratt, T. N. (2013). Defensive posture and eyespots deter avian predators from attacking caterpillar models. Animal Behaviour, 86(2), 383-389. |
| 4 | Dlugos, J., & Hatton, C. (2021). Things that Make You Go Yuck!: Mystifying Mutants. Routledge. |
| 5 | Schenk, F., Wilts, B. D., & Stavenga, D. G. (2013). The Japanese jewel beetle: a painter's challenge. Bioinspiration & biomimetics, 8(4), 045002. |
Jen’s a passionate environmentalist and sustainability expert. With a science degree from Babcock University Jen loves applying her research skills to craft editorial that connects with our global changemaker and readership audiences centered around topics including zero waste, sustainability, climate change, and biodiversity.
Elsewhere Jen’s interests include the role that future technology and data have in helping us solve some of the planet’s biggest challenges.
