BUG FATHERS REFLECT
OUR HEAVENLY FATHER

We see the image of our Heavenly Father reflected in vertebrates*. But what of the ruthless world of insects and the like, where strange and shadowy creatures live by the motto: "Eat or be eaten"? Surely we won't find the love of our Father here...or will we?

Among higher animals, nuclear families are common. But do you think we can discover dedicated families among the things that give us the creeps? It just so happens that pill bugs make wonderful parents. Believe it or not, our Heavenly Father has taught them to care for one another!

Pill bugs are usually found nestled under rocks and logs. They prefer the dark. Yet God has given these tiny creatures the courage to gather food in the world of the light, and the desire to share the food with their children. When everyone in the pill-bug family has finished eating, the "kids" help Mom and Dad pick up. They all take the remains of their meal outside in order to keep their home clean. Why should these "bugs" be so selfless? Look at Who made them!

Did you ever get a piggy-back ride from your dad when you were little? Well, some bugs give their children piggy-back rides for weeks on end. The male giant water bug (Belostomatidae sp.) willingly allows the female to attach dozens of eggs to his back. Using waterproof glue, the mother giant water bug neatly arranges them in tight rows on the surface of Dad's folded wings. By allowing her to do this, he is making a huge sacrifice: The eggs are heavy and he must now work hard to move about the pond in which he lives. Despite this, the male giant water bug regularly swims to the surface of the pond to ensure that his babies receive life-giving oxygen from the air. Each time he does, he proclaims the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father. The loaded-down dad cannot move as quickly as before, preventing him from catching food for himself. And he cannot fly to another pond until the eggs on his back have hatched. As I said, he makes a huge sacrifice for his children.

The male giant water bug carries his babies with him wherever he goes for an entire month! Sadly, he's on his own, because Mom leaves shortly after laying her eggs. Then again, he's not alone--His fantastic Creator sees him through his labors!

[God] gently leads those that have young (Isaiah 40:11).

Without question, the "moms" of the animal world are the ones who usually protect their young. And surely it is God's Fatherliness that motivates and enables these mothers to be so concerned. But God's fatherly care among male insects is not rare.

The male assassin bug of Kenya (Rhinocorris tristis) vigilantly stands guard over the family's eggs. The mother assassin bug has recently deposited them on a nearby tropical plant. It's now up to Dad to straddle these eggs using his body as a living shield, protecting his young from lethal enemies such as parasitic wasps.

As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him (Ps 18:30).

*Vertebrates are animals with backbones: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.

 

If you would like to learn more about animal fathers and how they reflect the glory of our Heavenly Father check out the entire article entitled FATHER'S TOUCH.