Insect Biodiversity - Human Culture

Human Culture

Early human civilisations held insects as an important element within their cultures. Most famously, scarab beetles were central religious artifacts within Egyptian culture. Insect symbolism, such as the dung beetle portrayed as a potter, is seen in the East as well. The Chinese viewed cicadas as a symbol of birth or immortality, the San of the Kalahari believe that the praying mantis represents creation and patience, and the Greeks also created beautiful representations of scarab beetles using colourful stones.