Absolute and relative cleanliness of insects?

Question

Three bees flew into my jar of honey this morning after breakfast. I gently removed them with a spoon and put the lid back on the honey, with the knowledge that I'd probably forget the bees had been there, and that tomorrow morning I'd probably dip into the same jar of honey for my breakfast. Here's the thing: if three houseflies or three cockroaches, silverfish, or spiders (I think) - or even one - had gotten in there, I'd've been grossed out & would probably have thrown the honey out. Is this preference for bees - and ants, sometimes - this notion that they're "clean" completely irrational? (I know that bees produce honey, of course, but it would be the same if a bee dropped into a glass of milk; I wouldn't mind that much, & would probably take reasonable care to get it out without harming it. So it's not just the connection to honey that underlies the difference in the way I react to these little beasties.)

Answer 1

Excellent question.

When you mentioned the bees in the honey, I was like "OK, so what?"
When you mentioned the other insects, I actually shuddered at the thought of them being in food.
So I guess you're not alone.

Maybe it has something to do with bees being portrayed as cute cuddly things in children's book.
But then you have to ask why the authors portrayed bees as cute, but not roaches, flies, and UGH! silverfish.

Also, bees provide us with food. Maybe that makes us more tolerant of this type of insect than others...

Answer 2

I think there is some rationality to it. Bees are vegetarians and don't frequently come in contact with feces, detritus, or carion. Houseflies are scavengers frequently dining and living on filth. Cockroaches live in detritus. I don't know what your problem with spiders is - although they are terresterial and carniverous, so they might come into contact with harmful microbes more often.

Now, if they weren't bees but rather wasps (like yellowjackets), then you are just delusional.

Answer 3

They're completely rational ...for me, that is! After all you're eating their saliva (THE HONEY!).It's like kissing a girl,and exhanging saliva in the process.but you love it. now imagine exchanging saliva with a man! YUKKY!!