Insects can be affirmative role models because we ascribe to them positive attributes such as industriousness and patience. When it suits our purpose, however, we can capitalize on negative insect qualities such as lowliness, filth dwelling, blood sucking and stinging. Figures of Speech Many bug-based expressions come from a more or less superficial resemblance between the insect and an object. For example, the butterfly stroke in swimming, the butterfly pork chop, the silkworm missile and the old-fashioned beehive hairdo. Wasp-waisted may or may not still be a socially acceptable way to describe human anatomy.
Some phrases come from our interpretation of observed insect behavior.
I would like to be a fly on the wall. He was mad as a hornet. He was drawn to her like a moth to a flame. She was a social butterfly. They danced the jitterbug.