Bugs are not always the most popular animals, but they are interesting, varied, and vital to our environment. Today’s NYT Strands puzzle honors these little wonders of nature, inviting solvers to discover words about various kinds of bugs. Whether you’re interested in them or a bit creepy-crawly, this puzzle is an entomological wordplay adventure.
For word and language lovers, today’s challenge is a charming foray into the realm of bugs. Bugs are everywhere, ranging in shape and size, with specific traits and habits. From a ladybug’s iridescent wings to the sneakiness of an assassin bug, this puzzle is a tour through the incredible diversity of these tiny but mighty bugs.
Today’s NYT Strands topic is ‘Get the Bug,’ which directs solvers to words associated with different insects. The diversity in the insect kingdom is highlighted by the fact that each word depicts a distinct bug. While some of these insects are amazing to see, some may make you shudder, yet each one has a purpose in the vast scheme of things.
If you need a bit of help in the right direction, here are some clues to help you on your way to today’s words:
Hint 1: An insect with an electric personality.
Hint 2: This one’s famous for its smell.
Hint 3: A spotty flyer that is often regarded as good luck.
Hint 4: A bug whose name is rather intriguing, despite not having any connection with the vegetable that it is named after.
Hint 5: This sneaky hunter lives up to its deadly title.
Hint 6: An informal nickname for an actual bug, quite common in sandy areas.
At the heart of today’s puzzle is the spangram: ENTOMOLOGY—the science of insects. All things considered, it connects all of the scientific and observational topics depicted in today’s puzzle. This is a reminder that insects are more than just minor annoyances; they are the subject of significant scientific research and support ecological equilibrium.
Every word concealed in today’s puzzle is a different kind of bug:
LIGHTNING: As in lightning bug, which is another term for fireflies that illuminate summer evenings.
STINK: In honor of the notorious stink bug, whose defensive scent will make you wish you hadn’t bothered it.
LADY: For ladybug, a beloved of gardeners and kids.
POTATO: A nod to the potato bug, or Colorado potato beetle, whose reputation for chomping through crops was legendary.
ASSASSIN: The well-named assassin bug, the sneaky hunter who doesn’t play around.
DOODLE: A playful name for the doodlebug, the antlion larva that burrows in a most peculiar way.
Not just a word puzzle, the NYT Strands puzzle of the day was an ode to the hundred-legged world: They may be small, but their effects are huge-they build ecosystems, pollinate flowers, and even inspire technological innovations. Whatever they may crawl, hum about, or float with, they remind us that an entire world is teeming with life right beneath our feet. And like any riddle or enigma, Nature has surprises for those who are curious, and it has the greatest ones. Next time you see a ladybug resting on your arm or witness the fireflies twinkling in the black, think of these tiny miracles and appreciate the magic they hold.