Exploring Nature: Helpful I

nsects We all know that birds eat lots of insects — many which would otherwise devour beneficial farm crops. However, not all insects are harmful and many play a major role in maintaining healthy soil, pollinating crops and controlling pests.

My personal favorite is probably the dragonfly, a real skeeter eater. Dragonflies eat lots of mosquitoes, which are notorious carriers of infectious diseases, including malaria. Some dragonflies consume hundreds in a single day.

I am also a fan of the doodle bug, or dung beetle if you prefer its more formal name. This insect helps promote plant growth, reduce disease, disperse seeds and aerate the soil.