Sure, if you’re talking about ‘true bugs’ (Hemiptera), but the difference from colloquial meaning is incredibly clear, and that Wikipedia page itself makes the case clear when it mentions that ladybugs are not true bugs (they’re beetles), but I would absolutely call beetles and ladybugs ‘bugs’ separate from the taxonomy. Perhaps it isn’t perfectly scientifically accurate, but humans don’t usually divide things into groups taxonomically for day to day usage, they divide them behaviorally, characteristically (see: fish).
If it looks like a bug, behaves like a bug, and fills the ecological role of a bug, calling it a bug is plenty accurate for day to day use. And characteristically? Them’s bugs. Crayfish are called mud bugs for a reason.
Sure, if you’re talking about ‘true bugs’ (Hemiptera), but the difference from colloquial meaning is incredibly clear, and that Wikipedia page itself makes the case clear when it mentions that ladybugs are not true bugs (they’re beetles), but I would absolutely call beetles and ladybugs ‘bugs’ separate from the taxonomy. Perhaps it isn’t perfectly scientifically accurate, but humans don’t usually divide things into groups taxonomically for day to day usage, they divide them behaviorally, characteristically (see: fish).
If it looks like a bug, behaves like a bug, and fills the ecological role of a bug, calling it a bug is plenty accurate for day to day use. And characteristically? Them’s bugs. Crayfish are called mud bugs for a reason.
Here’s the thing…
I like you, pedantic or not.
Exactly. Anything can be bugs. Isopods can be bugs. Shrimp can be bugs. Weird kittens can be bugs. Even you can be bugs.