STICK INSECT! WALKING STICK! STICK BUG: Having Many Choices

Stick Insects or Phasmids (Phasmatoidea, Phasmatidae) encompass about 2,700 known Insect species. With their long bodies that give them a twig-like appearance, Phasmids are almost invisible among the leaves of trees. When They are disturbed, Phasmids will lay motionless for hours pretending to be a stick. Sometimes, They will sway to mimic a twig blowing in the wind.

To avoid being eaten, Phasmids have many unique defenses. Although Most rely on passive camouflage to avoid predators, many large Phasmids have large spines on their hind legs for self-defense. Other Phasmids will discourage their attackers by regurgitating food at them or by squirting them with poison. American Walking Stick (Anisomorpha bupestiordes) sprays his intruder with a chemical spray that causes blindness.

Female Phasmids can reproduce without mating. Some populations consist entirely of mature Females and their Offspring. The Young are identical to their Mother. Sometimes Mother Phasmid will search for a rare Male to mate with. She will either find Him with his Friends or will attract Him by emitting a seductive scent.

Unlike other Insects, many people like to have Phasmids as pets. Usually all They require is blackberry leaves and water to thrive. However, They do prefer to have their leaves in their cages lightly misted.

Phasmids teach about having as many choices as possible. For example, people call Them by many names--Walking Stick, Stick Insect, or Stick Bug. Female Phasmids can reproduce with or without a mate. Phasmids defend Themselves in various ways. Some simply become still, while Others will squirt a poison. In life, it is important to have many options available to you.
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Phasmids are cousins to Grasshoppers and Mantids.

Dragonfly Family: Refinement of Skills

Dragonflies flit on the surface of small ponds and slow creeks. Their gossamer wings glisten in the dappled sunlight. Colorful and delicate-looking, Dragonflies inspire awe in everyone who sees Them.

Dragonflies were one of the first flying creatures to evolve, about three hundred million years ago. They have remained mostly unchanged during all this time. Although They are the most primitive of winged Insects, Dragonflies are the most efficient fliers. Their wings move independently allowing the Dragonflies to stop in midair, change directions, and fly backwards. Very few Birds can out-fly or hunt down Dragonflies.

Dragonflies are the Hawks of the Insect World. They swoop down from a perch and take an unsuspecting Insect by surprise. Effective hunters, Dragonflies snatch their prey in midair and devour them.

The Dragonflies teaches how you can refine your skill, and be more than you are.

Important Dragonfly Teaching: Illusion:
"When we've tricked ourselves into believing our limits prevent us from changing and growing, Dragonfly teaches us to pierce our self-created illusions. Dragonfly helps us to gain power through dreams and goals. Dragonfly asks us to look through the illusions, to become all we can be." Copyright: Unknown.

Dragonfly's Teachings Include:
"Dragonflies symbolize whirlwind, swiftness and activity. In Japan, Dragonflies represent new light and joy. Dragonflies remind us that we are light and can reflect the light in powerful ways if we choose to do so." Copyright: Unknown.

GOLIATH BEETLE: Facing Fears

The largest and heaviest living Insect on earth is Goliath Beetle of Africa. Goliath Beetle grows up to be about thirteen centimeters (five inches) long and weighing about 100 grams (3.5 ounces). Part of nature’s clean-up crew, Goliath Beetle eats dead plant material.

Living in Africa, Mother Goliath Beetle lays her eggs in the rich moist, rotting wood of rain forest trees. After hatching, Goliath Beetle larvae eat the decomposing logs, returning various nutrients to the soil. The adult Goliath Beetle feeds on anything sugary like fruit and sap from injured trees. Because Goliath Beetle prefers high protein foods, He also eats other Insects.

Many people shriek and flee in fear when encountering a bug of any type. Face your fears with scary looking but harmless Goliath Beetle. Embrace Him, and love Goliath Beetle as you would a pet.

Goliath Beetle’s Teachings Include:
“A beetle trundling across your path means a lucky day. The bigger the beetle, the greater the luck, so don't squash it.” Copyright: “Gypsy Magic”, Patrinella Cooper.

LADY BUG/LADY BEETLE: Joy of Living

Brightly colored red with black spots, Lady Bugs are easily noticed. Since They eat pests, many farmers and gardeners have encouraged Them to thrive where ever they have found Lady Bugs. Considered to be good luck, Lady Bugs have, many times, saved crops from certain disaster.

Their bright patterns of black and orange, red, or yellow serve as a warning to predators, since Lady Bugs have an unpleasant taste. Lady Bugs have other defenses as well. When threatened, They bleed blood from their leg joints. This blood contains an unpleasant substance that repels Birds and Ants.

These brightly colored Beetles go about their business, not worrying about potential predators. Lady Bugs teach how to stop worrying and to love life.

Lady Bug’s Teachings Include:
“The ladybird (ladybug) is one of the more familiar and most loved insects: a seven-spotted ladybird brings luck when it lands on you.” Copyright: “Gypsy Magic”, Patrinella Cooper.

Lady Bug/Lady Beetle's Wisdom Includes:

How to Release Worry

The Energy of Harmlessness

Messenger of Promise

Trust and Faith

Fortune

Fulfilled Wishes

Opportunity

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The members of the Insect Family Coleoptra Coccinellidae Hippodamia spp. and Cooccinella spp. are called Lady Beetle. The common name is "Lady Bug."