Creepy Caterpillars

March 2023

Some common imagery associated with nature may be lush trees, flowing water at the beach, or a running cheetah. These elements of nature are considered beautiful. But how much thought is given to grotesque aspects of nature, like bugs?

As a child, I was terrified of bugs. One time while washing my hands at my bathroom sink, I felt something move across my foot. I panicked and saw that a cockroach was right under my cabinet. I ran from the bathroom, yelling for my father. I remember the first time I mustered the courage to kill a spider for the first time; it took me an embarrassingly long time. I swatted at it for many minutes, trying to kill it quickly with a tissue. The entire time, my heart raced, and I broke out in a sweat.

Most interactions were instances when bugs were the invaders of my home and personal space, so killing them felt justified. I’m less cowardly regarding bugs these days, but I’m still slightly disgusted by larger ones. I decided to do something outside my comfort zone: observe caterpillars outside my house. I carefully watched these insects in their outside world without disruption.