1. Roly-polies 

Many fond memories from my childhood come from picking up rocks in my grandma’s yard and messing with roly-polies. Also known as pill bugs, these funky little isopods can curl up into a ball, hence their fun nickname. If you think they look pre-historic, it’s because they are. Fascinatingly, roly-polies are terrestrial crustaceans — the only crustaceans that have adapted to living entirely on land. Scientists believe roly-polies came to land from the sea around 300 million years ago. These guys are closer related to lobsters than other bugs.

2. Fireflies

As it gets warmer, more creatures emerge, and that includes lots of bugs. While most common bugs are bothersome, some bugs deserve recognition for how cool they are. At the top of my list is fireflies, sometimes called lightning bugs. If you’ve ever gone out on a summer night, you’ve seen these little guys helping the stars light up the sky. Fireflies are winged, soft-shelled beetles that use bioluminescence to create light during the night. As a kid, one of my favorite things to do was catching lightning bugs. 

3. Honeybees 

Honeybees have earned their spot on the list because they are vital to many ecosystems. These bees pollinate many trees, flowers, vegetables and fruits. True to their name, honeybees also produce honey — which has many benefits. If you’re ever feeling under the weather, local honey can boost your immune system and help fight against allergies. These bees also make honeycombs in their hives, where the colonies of bees live. Honeybees are hard workers, putting lots of effort into their craft; a single bee produces around one tablespoon of honey in their lifetime.

4. Lady bugs

Known for their black spots and good luck, ladybugs can be seen roaming around gardens during the spring and summer. Technically a beetle, these spotted bugs can benefit local gardens because they protect produce by eating other plant-eating insects like mites, mealybugs and leafhoppers. Ladybugs have been symbols of good luck in many cultures; some believe if one lands on you and you count the spots on their shell, that’s how many years of good luck you’ll have. While mostly red, some ladybugs can be orange or yellow. 

5. Caterpillars 

There are many types of caterpillars, such as butterflies and moths, but my favorite is the eastern tent caterpillar. These little black-and-yellow caterpillars use silk to create communal tents. They’re super cute as caterpillars but turn into moths later in their short lives. During the summer, you can find tons of them roaming around fruit trees. If you’re anything like me, you might need to resist picking up tiny bugs because some caterpillars can be poisonous. Alongside caterpillars, butterflies are also cool and add an extra pop of color throughout the summer.