By: Jason Gerber

It is a common fact that bugs are scary to most people. Most, if not all, people are afraid of a kind of insect. Their fear often stems from childhood trauma, a movie, or just plain self-preservation reflex. And it makes sense because many bugs can be harmful to a person who is not careful. 

It is not only their harmfulness but also their shape, color, and structure that may trigger fear reflexes. Having more than four legs, more than two eyes, and other unique features uncommon in any other life form makes them difficult to understand. It is an age-old fact that humans fear what they don’t understand. Therefore, one of the most common phobias of bugs is arachnophobia (fear of spiders).

Another popular bug phobia is Scolopendra Phobia or Chilopodophobia (fear of centipedes). This one makes sense because if eight legs can produce such high fear, imagine the level for a foot-long creature with hundreds of legs.

Horror Genre and Entomology Intersection

The use of entomology in horror is as old as the genre itself. These two elements blend well together because when horror presents the habitat, entomology presents the perfect inhabitant. The way that this combination works is simple: the bigger the scare or the more the merrier. The size and quantity of the bugs always make them more formidable for readers. The idea of being with them in a room makes this story far more disturbing.

One such example of a successful Scolopendra Phobia story is LEGS. A short story is present in the book The Recesses of Darkness Anthology by author Roger L. Schumacher. In this story, the readers find the protagonist trapped in a room with hundreds of centipedes crawling all around him, with only a single bulb of light that keeps the crawlies at bay. The story continues with the narrator experiencing a slow demise, with centipedes devouring him psychologically and physically.

Realistic Versus Fantastical Approaches

Both realistic and fictional bugs are scary. When someone writes about fictional bugs, they create something exaggerated or out of the ordinary. However, when someone writes about a real-life bug, they focus more on the experience rather than focusing on the bug. Instead of creating a bug that is too big or aggressive, they increase the number of bugs or trap the characters in a secluded place.

This more realistic approach is more effective when writing about bugs. Realism with bugs and horror is more relatable for the readers as they can imagine themselves being in the book’s scenarios. This combination makes the reader uneasy that they could be the victim of these bugs.

Cross-Genre Potential

Bugs are some of the most versatile creatures to design, write about, and portray in multiple genres. For literature and content, the customizability of bugs comes in handy. They are one of the most versatile creatures to design and write about. They are so flexible that an expert author can mix and match genres through them.

The effectiveness of entomology is not only for horror; it can extend to other genres. Whether someone writes fantasy, sci-fi, space adventure, or any other genre, bugs can add the element of horror with little effort. Alien bugs, mythological bug creatures, and many different types are popular throughout the multi-media content.

However, one aspect that can leave a scar on the readers’ minds is the use of horror bugs in psychological thrillers. Its effectiveness is visible in The Recesses of Darkness Anthology. Readers can experience the breakdown of the victim’s psyche and how the victim narrates everything. The sounds of thousands of legs crawling, the dimming of the light, and his slow mental breakdown can be hyper-effective for sensitive readers. 

Conclusion

Using bugs for fear is a common trope in many genres. What makes the difference is how the writer uses them. But a creative writer can morph entomology to suit his needs. 

Roger L. Schumacher’s The Recesses of Darkness Anthology gives a great example of using bugs for horror. The LEGS short in the book is a mind-breaking story that utilizes bugs while delivering an experience that can leave chills down the spine.

The book The Recesses of Darkness Anthology holds the complete story of LEGS and many more. Check amazon.com for book availability. To be kept up to date on what the author has upcoming, you can email him at authorrlschumacher@gmail.com

Published by: Martin De Juan