I embarked on an exploration of the elusive bug world, seeking answers to the age-old question: what are bugs really doing? As a science journalist, I have long been fascinated by bugs, often pondering their buzzing and darting around. What are their daily lives like? This question drove me to follow a bug for an entire day, a task suggested by my friend Jesse McLaren. My goal was simple yet daunting: to uncover the secrets of these tiny creatures.

I established a set of rules for my bug-following mission: 1. I must diligently follow the chosen bug and document its activities until it escapes my sight. 2. If I lose the bug, I must promptly find another to follow, continuing this until the day ends or I lose interest. 3. Above all, I cannot interfere with the bug—this is the Prime Directive.

Throughout the course of this enlightening yet challenging day, I found myself breaking all these rules. Here’s how the adventure unfolded.

Part 1 — The Hunt for Bugs I started my day filled with optimism, though I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had missed a prime opportunity. The previous day, I had spotted some green, flying insects, which I whimsically named “June Bugs.” They seemed like the perfect candidates for my study. Unfortunately, instead of following them, I chose to head home for a beer, leaving me anxious about missing out on a potential lead.

9:10 a.m.: With my wife Sarah cheering me on, I set out to find the June Bugs.

9:15 a.m.: My worst fears materialized—the June Bugs had vanished. What had once been a lively group of curious creatures was now just a barren garden, with a homeowner looking out at me, likely wondering what I was doing in their yard.

9:47 a.m.: I decided to head to the creek, convinced that I would encounter a plethora of intriguing bugs there. Yet, after half an hour of searching, I hadn’t spotted a single one. It felt as if they were avoiding me.

First Interlude — Defining Bugs With bugs nowhere to be found, I began to contemplate what truly defines a bug. Do bees and ants qualify? Are they simply bugs with better branding? I mused that a bug should be something dark-colored, with a moderate number of legs, and aimlessly wandering. However, this description could also apply to my cat, prompting me to rethink my definition.

Eventually, I surprised myself by deciding to follow a dragonfly.

Part 2 — Tracking a Dragonfly 10:02 a.m.: After feeling left out of the bug community for nearly an hour, I consulted experts and felt reassured that following a blue dragonfly would be acceptable.

10:06 a.m.: I spotted my dragonfly perched on a rock, its leg twitching—was it nervousness, an ailment, or just a quirk of its species? I had no way of knowing.

10:12 a.m.: My initial excitement faded quickly as boredom set in. I worried about the twitching leg, even feeling sympathy pain in my own knee.

10:22 a.m.: The dragonfly interacted with some gnats, which didn’t seem like friends.

10:57 a.m.: I suspected that my dragonfly had switched places with another. As odd as it sounded, I was convinced they were playing tricks on me.

11:06 a.m.: My dragonfly found a companion, and their connection felt profound. They flew away together, leaving me to search for another bug.

Part 3 — Returning to the June Bugs 12:30 p.m.: I was determined to find the June Bugs again, returning to where I had seen them the day before.

12:35 p.m.: To my relief, I discovered them! They were wild and unpredictable, embodying the chaotic energy I had been missing.

12:41 p.m.: I named one of the June Bugs “Mad Dog,” as it flitted about recklessly, even attempting to invade a passerby’s personal space.

12:54 p.m.: In the frenzy, I lost track of Mad Dog. These June Bugs were too much for me to handle.

Part 4 — Enough of Flying Bugs 1:02 p.m.: I declared my intent to stop following flying insects. It simply wasn’t my style; I needed a more grounded bug.

1:28 p.m.: After much searching, I finally located a beetle, perfect in my eyes. I found her under a rock, but she didn’t seem too happy about being discovered.

1:29 p.m.: In a shocking turn of events, I lost the beetle almost immediately.

Second Interlude — The Perspective of a Bird Birds, in their simplicity, share a common goal: finding bugs. Despite our differences, we are all just creatures navigating this fragile world in search of elusive insects. It's a challenging task, requiring patience and keen observation.

Part 5 — The Vastness of the Bug World 2:37 p.m.: After wandering far from home, I stumbled upon a cactus with bugs.

2:42 p.m.: I observed a confident bug that seemed to lead the others, embodying a peaceful life among the cactus.

2:49 p.m.: Suddenly, a dragonfly swooped in and snatched one of the cactus bugs. My heart sank as I wondered if I had disrupted their tranquil existence.

3:02 p.m.: I realized that these cactus bugs lived in constant awareness of the dangers around them, which gave their lives deeper meaning.

3:04 p.m.: I encountered a gigantic spider, the largest I had ever seen, sending chills down my spine.

3:42 p.m.: Despite the looming threat, the cactus bugs continued their routine, showcasing an admirable resilience.

5:30 p.m.: My bug remained stationary, seemingly unfazed by the chaos surrounding it. In its quiet determination, it represented the struggle for survival in a world filled with peril.

5:31 p.m.: I pondered whether bugs have chins, realizing how little I truly understood about these fascinating creatures. I might just need an entomologist after all.