15 Misconceptions Kids Have About Insects

12. If a bug is in the sink or tub, it came up from the drain.

You can't blame a kid for thinking that. After all, most adults seem to make this assumption, too. Insects don't hide in our plumbing, waiting for an opportunity to pop out and scare us. Our homes are dry environments, and insects and spiders seek out moisture. They're drawn to the more humid environment in our bathrooms and kitchens. Once an insect slips down the slope of a sink or bathtub, it has a hard time crawling back up and ends up stranded near the drain.

14. Small insects with wings are baby insects that will grow up to be adults.

If an insect has wings, it's an adult, no matter how tiny it might be. Insects only grow as nymphs or larvae. During that stage, they grow and molt. For insects that undergo simple, or incomplete metamorphosis, the nymph molts one final time to reach winged adulthood. For those that undergo complete metamorphosis, the larvae pupates. The adult then emerges from the pupa. Winged insects have already reached their adult size, and will not grow any larger.

15. All insects and spiders are bad and should be killed.

Children follow the lead of adults when it comes to insects. An entomophobic parent who sprays or squashes every invertebrate in her path will undoubtedly teach her child the same behavior. But few of the arthropods we encounter in our everyday lives are threats of any kind, and many are vital to our own well-being. Insects fill many important jobs in the ecosystem, from pollination to decomposition. Spiders prey on insects and other invertebrates, keeping pest populations in check. It's worth knowing when (if ever) an insect warrants a squishing and when it deserves to be left alone, and teaching our children to respect invertebrates as they would any other wildlife.