Entomology 101: A Journey into the World of Insects

Entomology 101 was required for my agronomy degree. On the first day of class, encircled with posters of drosophila, moths, and beetles, I recoiled at the scent of old wooden desks — outfitted with inkwells and graffiti — and the chemical odor of bugs lying dead in cottony beds. Although I grew up around honey bees, other bugs were gross. The reminder of cunning motel roaches, ravenous green apple worms, and maggots cavorting on cow pies made me reconsider a switch to, say, English literature.