From the archive: Sharing the planet means accepting scorpions and tarantulas

In Mexico, sharing the planet means accepting a variety of creatures, including insects that many consider terrifying. Sarah DeVries, in her article published in May 2021, recounts encounters with various bugs she has faced in Mexico. Flies buzzing around her food were annoying, but she knew someone who had a high success rate in catching them.

Other bugs, such as monarch butterflies and fireflies in Tlaxcala, are loved by tourists and locals alike. Ants marching in long, efficient lines are also appreciated, while edible insects like chapulines are considered a delicacy in some regions. However, there are bugs that can be particularly frightening. In Querétaro, DeVries' encounter with scorpions was a terrifying experience, as her dog hunted them down, but there was no escaping the giant, flying ants that covered the school patio one rainy day.

A tarantula found its way into DeVries' living room, an encounter she attempted to resolve by trapping it in a container before releasing it into the woods outside. With bugs on the rise in her home, DeVries has taken measures such as hanging a mosquito net above her bed, but the rest of the house remains open to these creatures.