I've always been infatuated with insects. Perhaps this is due to the fact that insects are so vastly different from most other animals. Perhaps it's because they possess an unseen grace and intellect that surpasses all of our expectations.

Perhaps it's because insects are the underdogs of the animal kingdom. We rarely pay mind to them, and when we do, it's hardly ever in a positive way. When was the last time you marveled at the ferocity of the wasp? The cleverness of the ant? The tenacity of the cockroach?

Needless to say, insects are not only underrated but villainized in our society; we see them as useless pests, rather than the fascinating creatures that they are. Of course, not all insects are necessarily pleasant; no one would demonize you for saying that you hate hornets or tapeworms or termites. But it is important that we give insects as a whole a fair chance and observe their unconventional beauty. Today, we're going to take a look at the five most fascinating insects. These are the insects that deserve extra consideration, whether it be for their beauty, their uniqueness, or even their terrifyingness.

1: Horrid King Assassin Bug

Remember when I mentioned "terrifyingness"? Well, this is it. Sometimes we despise our names because we don't feel they represent us well enough. This does not apply to the Horrid King Assassin Bug. He has a venomous bite, is able to fly, is covered in spikes, and can even spit poison . The Horrid King Assassin Bug loves his name.

2: Orchid Mantis

Whew, talk about eye bleach! No, that's not a flower you're looking at. Just like our pal Horrid King Assassin Bug, the Orchid Mantis is pretty much what his name implies: a mantis who looks incredibly akin to a flower. How adorable! What's less adorable, however, is the fact that he evolved into his lovely looks to deceptively draw prey closer to him. The Horrid King Assassin Bug may have been a bit intense, but at least with him, you know what you were getting yourself into.

3: Glasswing Butterfly

Yes, it's a butterfly. No, it's not Photoshopped. The Glasswing butterfly is one of the most unique butterflies because, well, you can probably tell from the picture. The Glasswing butterfly has transparent wings due to their low reflectivity. This, of course, is a feat of evolution, but fear not! Unlike our two-faced flowery friend, the Glasswing butterfly's wing transparency is to help it avoid being spotted by predators .

Such as the Orchid Mantis.

4: Jumping Spider

Those of you who refuse to believe that spiders can be adorable: this one's for you. The jumping spider differs from other spiders on two fronts: the first being that it jumps. The second being that it is the most precious creature to ever grace the earth. Jumping spiders are relatively docile, and are commonly kept as pets , similarly to their larger relatives, the tarantulas.

And if you weren't already sold to the idea of fuzzy, doe-eyed spiders, perhaps this picture of a jumping spider wearing a raindrop hat will convince you.

5: Bees

Perhaps this is cheating since everyone already knows what a bee is and what it does.

...Or do they?

Let's face it, bees, no matter how common, are some of the most fascinating insects on our planet. Not only are they integral to our planet's survival , but their means of communication and societal structure are far more advanced than we could ever imagine.

In the end, it's important to never take life for granted, big or small; even the most miniscule creatures can have the most sophisticated biological makeup and have an incredibly powerful impact on our daily lives...

...Except for the Horrid King Assassin Bug, perhaps; he's a little strange.