Kentucky’s State Insect is Arguably One of the Most Adorable in the Animal Kingdom

You read that right - insects can actually be cute! Especially Kentucky's State Insect.

Back in fifth grade, we had this yearlong project called the Kentucky History Book. One of the chapters was all about the state symbols like the Kentucky State Flower (goldenrod) and the Kentucky State Bird (cardinal). So, imagine my surprise when I recently stumbled upon a poster listing all these state symbols and found out that Kentucky had a state insect.

Turns out, Kentucky didn't actually name a state insect until 2010, which explains why I don't remember including it in my book way back in 1992.

What's Kentucky's State Insect?

According to ky.gov, "The honeybee is named and designated as the official state agricultural insect of Kentucky."

It makes sense - they are basically the most important beings in our ecosystem. Without bees and their insatiable drive to collect pollen to make honey, life as we know it would collapse. And besides that, honey is delicious... Life is so much better when there's a little sweetness!

Unfortunately, Kentucky's State Insect is in peril. According to thebeeconservatory.org, "more than half of North America’s 4,000 native bee species are in decline, with 1 in 4 species at risk of extinction. This is due to a range of factors including habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and pests and disease."

Not good.

How You Can Help Save the Bees

There are a few things that you can do according to thebeeconservatory.com.

• Plant a Bee Garden
• Avoid Pesticides
• Plant Trees for Bees
• Make a Bee Bath
• Don't Kill Ground Bees
• Leave Stems Behind
• Host a Fundraiser to Raise Money for Bee Programs
• Support Local Bee Keepers and Contact Them if You Have a Swarm

What are Kentucky's Other State Symbols?

• Latin Motto: Deo gratiam habeamus (Let us be grateful to God)
• Motto: United we stand, divided we fall
• Nickname: The Bluegrass State
• Slogan: Kentucky Unbridled Spirit
• Bird: Cardinal
• Butterfly: Viceroy butterfly
  Limenitis archippus
• Fish: Kentucky spotted bass
  Micropterus punctulatus
• Flower: Goldenrod
  Solidago gigantea
• Fruit: Blackberry
  Rubus allegheniensis
• Horse: Thoroughbred
  Equus caballus
• Tree: Tulip poplar
  Liriodendron tulipifera
• Wild Animal Species: Eastern gray squirrel
  Sciurus carolinensis
• Beverage: Milk
• Soft Drink: Ale-8-One
• Bluegrass Song: "Blue Moon of Kentucky"
  by Bill Monroe
• Dance: Clogging
• Gun: The Kentucky Long Rifle
• Music: Bluegrass music
• Musical Instrument: Appalachian dulcimer
• Song: "My Old Kentucky Home"
• Car: Chevrolet Corvette