List of insect-inspired songs


This is a list of songs inspired by insects.
Insects in music are known from everything from classical music and opera to ragtime and pop.
Rimsky-Korsakov imitates the quick buzzing vibrato of the bumblebee in his famous "The Flight of the Bumblebee". Popular songs with an insect theme include "glow-worm", "Poor Butterfly", "La Cucaracha", "The Boll Weevil", and "The Blue-Tailed Fly". Operas like Puccini's Madam Butterfly and Rousel's Le Festin de L’Araignée similarly reference arthropods.
Pop groups named after insects include Buddy Holly and the Crickets, The Beatles, Adam and the Ants, Iron Butterfly, Flea and many others. Songs named after or inspired by the sounds of insects are listed below.

List

Name of songInsect orderComposerPerforming artistDateType of musicNotes-
InsectInsects-generalBladeeBladee2017Cloud Rap-
I'm a BugInsects-generalUrinals1978-
Crickets Sing for AnamariaOrthopteraMarcos ValleMarcos Valle1968Bossa novaVocal version of Marcos Valle's instrumental tune "Os Grilos" that appeared on his 1967 album Brazilliance!-
Honey Bee HymenopteraOllie ShepardOllie Shepard And His Kentucky Boys1938Blues / Honky-tonkReleased on Decca Records-
The Attack of the Giant AntsHymenopteraChris SteinBlondie1976Punk / New Wave / Rock-
I Got Ants in My PantsHymenopteraJames BrownJames Brown1972Funk-
Ants MarchingHymenopteraDave MatthewsThe Dave Matthews Band1994Pop / Rock-
Spiral of AntsHymenopteraNeil CicieregaLemon Demon2016Electronic RockOn the album Spirit Phone. Based on the phenomenon of ant mills.-
InsectsInsects-generalDanny ElfmanOingo Boingo1982Ska, New Wave, Synth Pop-
LadybugColeopteraSXZUBars Johnson2021Indie rock--
Bee in the BottleHymenopteraSinead LohanSinead Lohan1995Folk rock-
Dance of the HoneybeesHymenopteraCharlie LennonDe Dannan
Frankie Gavin
Sharon Shannon
Altan
1986Irish folkSaid to be based on the honeybee's waggle dance.-
MosquitoDipteraYeah Yeah YeahsYeah Yeah Yeahs2013Indie rock-
The MosquitoDipteraJohn Densmore / Robby Krieger / Ray ManzarekThe Doors1972Rock-
Flight of the BumblebeeHymenopteraNikolai Rimsky-Korsakovmany artists1899-1900Classical-
One Note Samba/Spanish FleaSiphonapteraAntônio Carlos JobimSergio Mendes-Brasil '661966Bossa nova-
100,000 FirefliesColeopteraStephin MerrittThe Magnetic Fields1993Electronica-
FirefliesColeopteraAdam YoungOwl City2009Electronica-
Hotaru Koi ColeopteraUnknownFolk-
Lady BugColeopteraRandy Rogers / Wade BowenRandy Rogers2015Country-
Mariposa traicioneraLepidopteraFher OlveraMana2003Rock-
ButterflyLepidopteraJohn Frusciante B/ret Mazur, M / chael "Flea" Balzary / Seth "Shifty Shellshock" BinzerCrazy Town2000Rap rock-
CaterpillarLepidopteraPeter AlbinBig Brother and the Holding Company1967RockThis album was the studio debut for the band's lead singer, Janis Joplin.-
The CaterpillarLepidopteraThe Cure1984Post-punk-
GrasshopperOrthopteraSoul DelavantsSoul-
GrasshopperOrthopteraJohn PhillipsThe Mamas and the Papas1971Folk rock-
The Grasshopper Unit (Keep Movin')OrthopteraBeastie Boys2000Rap rock-
GrasshoppersOrthopteraRyuichi SakamotoRyuichi Sakamoto1978Jazz fusion-
MothLepidopteraChad Gray / Kevin Churko / Tom Maxwell / Vinnie PaulHellyeah2014Heavy metal-
Moth to a FlameLepidopteraRoger ChapmanRoger Chapman1979BluesrockSecond track of the album Chappo-
Moth to the FlameLepidopteraLuke Morley, Andy Taylor, Mikael HöglundThunder1995RockFirst track of the album Behind Closed Doors-
Moth's WingsLepidopteraMichael AngelakoPassion Pit2009Indietronica-
That's the way love goesLepidopteraJanet Jackson / Jam & LewisJanet Jackson1993R & B-
MayflyEphemeropteraStuart MurdochBelle and Sebastian1996Indie pop-
Doin' the CockroachBlattodeaModest MouseModest Mouse1997Indie rock-
Lady bugColeopteraBumblebee Umlimited1978Disco-
ButterflyLepidopteraJason MrazJason Mraz2008Pop / Rock-
BugsInsects-generalEddie VedderPearl Jam1994Rock-
All My Friends Are InsectsInsects-generalAdam DeibertWeezer2010Rock-
Georgia WarhorseOrthopteraJJ Grey & Mofro2010Funk rockNamed after the Southern Lubber Grasshopper-
The Blackfly SongDipteraWade Hemsworthmany artists1949FolkInspired a short animated film, .-
Black FlyDipteraBilly GibbonsZZ Top2016Southern rockThird song on the album Rhythmeen-
Mosquito MoanDipteraBlind Lemon Jefferson1927Blues-
TermiteBlattodeaYoung Thug2015Hip hop-
Shoo Fly, Don't Bother MeDipteraThomas Brigham Bishop*many artists1869FolkThe writer of the song is somewhat contentious -
Killa BeezHymenopteraKilla Beez2002Hip hop-
Wu Killa Beez: The ReemergenceHymenopteraRemedy1998Hip hop-
DragonflyOdonataZiggy MarleyZiggy Marley2003Reggae-
The King Beetle on the Coconut EstateColeopteramewithoutyou / Aaron Weissmewithoutyou2009Indie rock-
FirefliesColeopteraHarmony Samuels D/awn Richard, d/rew ScottZendaya2013Electronica-
The Cricket SongOrthopteraRich O'Toole2011Country-
FrassInsects-generalRenaldo and the Loaf1981ExperimentalThe whole album, Songs for Swining Larvae, is inspired by insects.-
There Ain't No Bugs On MeInsects-generalUnknownFolkThere is a popular recording of this song by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman on the album, Not for Kids Only.-
Dog and ButterflyLepidopteraAnn Wilson N/ancy Wilson, / e EnnisHeart1978Folk rock-
HiveHymenopteraSexton / Nick Hexum / Martinez3111995Rap rock-
Red MosquitoDipteraJeff Ament S/tone Gossard, c/k Irons, Mi /McCready, Eddi /VedderPearl Jam1996Rock-
The BugInsects-generalMark KnopflerDire Straits1991Rock-
The Bug CollectorInsects-generalHaley HeynderickxHaley Heynderickx2018Folk music-
I am the FlyDipteraGraham Lewis / Colin NewmanWire1978Punk rock-
CentipedeChilopodaRebbie JacksonCentipede (album)1983RnB-
Human FlyDipteraLux Interior, Ivy RorschachThe Cramps1979Punk rock-
Fly on the WallDipteraMiley Cyrus A/ntonina Armato, T /m James, v/rim KaraogluMiley Cyrus2009Pop rock-
Fly on the WallDipteraMalcolm Young Angus Young /Brian JohnsonAC/DC1983Rock-
Fly on the WallDipteraLuke MorleyThunder1995RockSecond track of the album Behind Closed Doors-
Fly on the WallDipteraThe Jesus LizardThe Jesus Lizard1994Rock-
Fly on a WindshieldDipteraTony Banks Phil Collins Peter Gabriel Steve Hackett Mike RutherfordGenesis1974Progressive Rock-
Insect HospitalInsects-generalThey Might Be Giants2013Rock-
March of the Fire AntsHymenopteraMastodonMastodon2002Heavy metal-
BeetleColeopteraMooi WarkRock-
Beetle in the BoxColeopteraLouis AbbottAdmiral Fallow2012Indie pop-
Black Beetle PiesColeopteraTrad / arr FloodBellowhead2012Folk-
Dragonfly KeeperOdonataPhildelPhildel2010NeoclassicalInstrumental-
DurabilityInsects-generalTribes of Neurot2002ExperimentalThe entire album Adaptation and Survival, on which this track is found, is composed entirely of manipulated insect sounds.-
SilverfishThysanuraSounds of System Breakdown2013Electronic musicInstrumental-
Pediculosis PhthirapteraFumigation2015Metal-
The Dreaded Sea Lice Have Come AboardPhthirapteraGuttermouth1999Rock-
Rats and Mice and Swarms of LicePhthirapteraThou2014Sludge Metal-
Love LicePhthirapteraFake Shark - Real Zombie!2009Rock-
Earwigs To EternityDermapteraAlice Cooper2009Rock-
Catfood On The EarwigDermapteraGuided by Voices1994Rock-
Earwig Town LyricDermapteraChairlift2008Rock-
EarwigDermapteraThe Dead Milkmen1986Rock-
The Louse House of KilkennyPhthirapteraThe Dubliners1978Irish folk-
EarwigDermapteraPublic Memory2016Electronic, Music-
LacewingNeuropteraLacewing1970Rock-
LacewingsNeuropteraAlasdair MacLean and The ClienteleThe Clientele2014Indie Pop-
Head LicePhthiraptera18Razor Jane2008Pop-
LocustOrthopteraRobb Flynn/ Philip DemmelMachine Head2011Thrash-
Day of the LocustsOrthopteraBob DylanBob Dylan1970Folk rockThe song's lyrics refer to Brood X of the 17-year periodical cicada, per New Morning explanation-
Cricket OrchestraOrthopteraSmallpeopleSmallpeopletechno-
CricketsOrthopteraDamon Thomas Santo/ Allan Craig Iida/ Christopher Daniel Goodman/ Jonathan Rotem/ Anthony Vincent Cozzo/ Christian Scott CondoDrop City Yacht Club2013Hip hop-
CricketsOrthopteraJaron Boyer/ Colt Ford/ Jeffery Don HydeColt Ford2014Country-
CricketzOrthopteraEarl Benjamin/ Keith Brown/ Dominic Thomas/ Michael StevensonNew Boyz2009Hip hop-
Cricket On A LineOrthopteraChristopher Wongwon/ Jared Sciullo Riley/ Luther Roderick Campbell/ Justin N. Spillner/ Rhett Akins/ Colt FordColt Ford2010Country-
CricketsOrthopteraBrent Baxter/ Lisa Shaffer/ Bill WhyteJoe Nichols2013Country-
Insects-generalLooperHip Hop / Rap-
HemipteraLiam Titcomb2012Rock-
HemipteraKathy Ashworth2011Country-
HemipteraKristin JergerKristin JergerKidsEnglish & Spanish language-
PhasmatodeaThe Stick Insects2009ElectronicaInstrumental, stick insect animation-
HemipteraThe Greenhouse Culture Band, CS Luxem2015Collaboration to celebrate the cicada-
HemipteraHum2010-
Hemiptera2014ElectronicNetherlands-
MayflyEphemeropteraBelle & Sebastian2003Indie pop-
MayflyEphemeropteraRasputina1998Rock-
MayflyEphemeropteraBen Winship & David Thompson2009Acoustic Folk-
MayflyEphemeropteraAndrew Chalk & Tom James Scott2013Electronic-
Mayfly Waltz EphemeropteraMichael Hoppevarious artists2013New Age-
FleaSiphonapteraClazziquai2008Pop-
Flea BrainSiphonapteraVincent Gene2005Country-
Flea FlySiphonapteraRed Hot Chili PeppersRed Hot Chili Peppers1994Rock-
Flea Versus MIteSiphonapteraThe Presidents of the United States of AmericaThe Presidents of the United States of America2014Alternative Rock-
Sabrina Sabrina, Flea BallerinaSiphonapteraMr. BillyMr. Billy2008Children's Music-
Fifi the FleaSiphonapteraMary BlackMary Black2011New Age-
Fifi the FleaSiphonapteraThe HolliesThe Hollies1998Rock-
Spanish FleaSiphonapteraAllan Sherman2005Miscellaneous-
Spanish FleaSiphonapteraHerb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass1965Jazz-
Flea in Your EarSiphonapteraSimian Mobile Disco2008Electronic-
Madama ButterflyLepidopteraGiacomo Puccini1903Opera-
Butterflies and HurricanesLepidopteraMuseMuse2004Alternative Rock-
Butterfly KissesLepidopteraBob CarlisleBob Carlisle1997Contemporary-
CockroachesBlattodeaNecroNecro2000hip-hop-
I Hate CockroachesBlattodeaBananas at LargeBananas at Large1993Parody-
ButterflyLepidopteraBassnectarBassnectar2012Electronic-
TermiteBlattodeaJungle by NightJungle by Night2011instrumental-
The termite songBlattodeaThe Woodbox GangThe Woodbox Gang2001Bluegrass-
OdonataOdonataStuart Masters2013FolkInstrumental-
Oh, OdonataOdonataThe Brave Optimistic2015Indie rockTitle track of album-
The WaspsHymenopteraRalph Vaughan Williams 1909Incidental musicFor Aristophanes' play The Wasps-
MosquitoDipteraIngrid MichaelsonIngrid Michaelson2005Pop-
MosquitoDipteraBomfunk MCBomfunk MC2004Electronic-
MosquitoDipteraFranck LangolffVanessa Paradis1988French Pop-
Butterfly BleuLepidopteraIron ButterflyIron Butterfly1970Rock-
Iron Butterfly ThemeLepidopteraIron ButterflyIron Butterfly1968Rock-
Springtail BoogieCollembolaKenneth JohnstonInstrumental Music from the Horsehead Point Community2007Rock-
ThripsThysanopteraEgret SylvieCarpe Diem2016Electronic-
Airplane ModeCollembolaFlobotsSurvival Story2010Rock-
Intro with CicadasHemipteraThe Firefly ChoirThe Insect Songbook Vol. 12016Electronic-
Flea Bitten AnnieSiphonapteraThe A-Bones1993Garage rock-
Dropping Like FliesDipteraThe Accüsed1990Thrash metal-
Scream of the ButterflyLepidopteraAcid Bath1994Sludge metal-
Cassie Eats CockroachesBlattodeaAcid Bath1994Sludge metal-
Ants InvasionHymenopteraAdam Ant/Marco PirroniAdam and the Ants1980New wave-
AntmusicHymenopteraAdam Ant/Marco PirroniAdam and the Ants1980New wave-
Ant RapHymenopteraAdam Ant/Marco PirroniAdam and the Ants1981New wave-
Rap de las HormigasHymenopteraCharly GarcíaCharly García1987New wave-
King WaspHymenopteraAdd N to (X)1998Electroclash-
ButterflyLepidopteraAdmiral Bailey1992Dancehall-
Joanie's ButterflyLepidopteraSteven Tyler/Jimmy Crespo/Jack DouglasAerosmith1982Hard rock-
Empire AntsHymenopteraDamon AlbarnGorillaz2010Electro-funk / Alternative DanceFeatures the vocals of Little Dragon's Yukumi Nagano-
Insects Are All Around UsOrthopteraMark Ramos-NishitaMoney Mark1994Lo-Fi Downtempo / FunkContains spoken word sample relating to Crickets.-
Cicada Love CallHemipteraF. Anderson / T. SwiftToby Swift Music2021Country / NoveltyContains spoken word-
Hey There, Little InsectInsectaJonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers1976Lyrics-
The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!HymenopteraSufjan StevensSufjan Stevens2005Lyrics-
BeesHymenopteraLaura CantrellLaura Cantrell2005Lyrics-
Praying MantisMantodeaDon DixonDon Dixon1985Lyrics-
Mississippi Bo Weavil BluesColeoptera: Boll weevilCharley PattonCharley Patton1929Lyrics-
Escapism InsectaDigable PlanetsDigable Planets1993Lyrics-
Frelon Brun HymenopteraMiles Davis1961JazzInstrumental-
El GrilloOrthopteraJosquin des Prezmany performers1505Lyrics-
Sex Jam Two: Insect IncestHymenopteraMilemarker2000Rock / Post-hardcore-
Venus' Flytrap And The BugInsectaStevie Wonder1979Pop / Jazz-FunkFrom the POV of an insect being coerced and preyed upon by a Venus Flytrap.-
Cicada DaysHemipteraWill WoodWill Wood2022Folk rockSingle from Will Wood's album, In Case I Make It, and partially inspired by cicadas' brooding patterns.-
The Mayfly DanceEphemeropteraSwitchbackSwitchback2010Folk-
Wings Off FliesDipteraNick Cave/JG ThirlwellNick Cave and the Bad Seeds1984Post-punk / Experimental rockLyrics-
Cockroach WaltzBlattodeaJack Off JillJack Off Jill1996Goth rockLyrics-
Hornet's HeartHymenopteraBrian HagemanThinking Fellers Union Local 2821992Experimental rockLyrics-
HiveHymenopteraMark DaviesThinking Fellers Union Local 2821992Experimental rockLyrics-
Being BoiledBombyx moriPhilip Oakey, Martyn Ware, Ian Craig MarshThe Human League1978Electronic, synthpopA protest against sericulture-
I'm Nature's MosquitoHemipteraJonathan RichmanJonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers1979Rock-
KabutomushiAllomyrinaAiko Yanaiaiko1999J-PopLyrics-
Outdoor MinerAgromyzidaeColin Newman / Graham LewisWire1979Post-punk / jangle popSong is about the life cycle of the serpentine leaf miner, and inspired by co-writer Lewis' fascination with this insect.-
FlohwalzerSiphonapteratraditionalmany artistsClassicalSimple piano piece, also known as 'the Flea Waltz'.-
ButterflyLepidopteraRobert UhlmannSmile.dk1998Eurodance / bubblegum pop-
I wanna be a one day flyEphemeropteraViggo Waas / Owen Schumacher / Joep van Deutekom / Peter Heerschop / Peter Schön / Hans Sibbel / Daan van Rijsbergen / Jack Spijkerman / Hans RiemensOne Day Fly 2001Pop / SatireBand name is a play on 'eendagsvlieg', the Dutch word for both 'mayfly' and 'one-hit wonder'
EurhopalathrixHymenopteraAxExHxCxAxExHxCx2023Gorenoise/Goregrind/
Rock
Single from
"HYPOPOMYRMEX" It was released by GxMxPx & AxExHxCx
and the album is based entirely around ants.
-
BugsInsects-generalJesse WellesJesse Welles2024FolkLyrics-