We discuss the good things as well as the bad things to give them some perspective on the importance of bugs in both their natural environments as well as when they interact with people and our homes. One of the topics I think is important is to discuss a few of the myths and legends about insects that are so widely accepted as truth. I’m not certain just where some of these start, but it is interesting that even by first grade so many children already believe some things about insects that are not true.
One of the most popular myths is that regarding Mosquito Hawks, also known popularly as “skeeter eaters”. They may also be referred to as daddy long legs, although in fact they are not even close cousins to the spiders accurately called daddy long legs. Depending on where you live in the country you may also hear other fascinating names applied to these insects, such as gallinippers, gollywhoppers, or jimmy spinners. Because of the confusion between these insects and the actual daddy long legs spiders, some people also believe that skeeter eaters are highly poisonous, which is completely inaccurate. In fact, another widespread myth is that the Daddy Long Legs spider has the most potent venom of any spider in the country, again untrue but widely repeated. The true Daddy Long Legs is not even a true spider, but instead is a related Arachnid called a Harvestman, and it has no venom whatsoever.