"Wszystko jest potrzebne" – owady w mitach i legendach

Browsing through myths and legends from every corner of the world, one would notice that insects were not among the most beloved animals by humans. They were treated as infestation and the source of diseases, a sign that something is wrong in our houses as well as in our bodies. However, in some stories and cultures, Insecta may be depicted as protectors, guardians, messengers or even creators! Maggots that create human beings, crickets that warn from danger, ladybirds that give us good weather, glow worms with primordial light and divine bees – they all matter and play important roles in the world. This article focuses on legends from various cultures, mainly Polish folk-culture, which comprise these invertebrates from many orders: Odonata, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Hymenoptera and Diptera, presenting humans’ understanding of the environment, before the scientific explanation was available.