"We are looking at a society increasingly dependent on machines, yet decreasingly capable of making or even using them effectively."
― Douglas Rushkoff
It's a disheartening but familiar sight on social media: a stunning photograph of a Six-spotted Tiger Beetle (Cicindela sexguttata) posted to a local photography group, immediately met with a barrage of "squash it!" and "kill it!" comments from people misidentifying it as the invasive Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis).
- Kill it!!!
- Kill it asap
- Kill it, emerald ash borer beetle
- Step on it!!!
- Not so cool beetle, damages ash trees! Squash it!
- Emerald Ash Bore.... it kills trees
- Fuk that bug! Squish that fucker
- Beautiful color, but very invasive and eats a lot of my perennials
- Tons of them in Asia
- Watch out they bite and HURTS!!!
- They're everywhere and eat everything
- Not cool! They kill my flowers every year
- Ash borer...squish it!....his buddies have killed just about every ash tree in Wisconsin
This classic case of "guilt by color" perfectly illustrates how misplaced panic can trigger an active war on beneficial native wildlife. It's a stark reminder that in the digital age, a little ecological literacy and a closer look at insect anatomy are the best defense against spreading destructive misinformation.
On the plus side, a number of people did point out that it wasn't an Emerald Ash Borer. But even when properly identified, the "kill it" comments kept coming. Well, we can't expect everyone know what these insects are, but social media has created an environment where the desire to react overrides an impulse to reflect — it's better to be first than right.
Where else do we observe this?
For the record, they don't eat plants and their bites are completely harmless (they don't hurt). In fact, the only way you'll ever experience those mandibles is if you actively pinch one in your hand. If you do, well... you sort of have it coming.
All images © 2026 Mike McDowell