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HEARING THE INSECTS: Listening to InsectsHere's a program from our archives.ambience: Gryllotalpa gossor, Katydid, HexacentrusFor centuries, the Japanese have revered the calls of certain species of insects, keeping them as pets and, in Autumn, visiting the fields and meadows where they sing. In the United States, however, when insects come calling, they get a somewhat different reception. I'm Jim Metzner, and this is the Pulse of the Planet. Pemberton: I think that in America and generally in the West, that people have a fear of insects. We call this fear entomophobia, And I think one of the results of entomophobia is that we're not open to really see or understand insects. Some indeed are pestiferous and some transmit diseases, but then others make beautiful music and some are very entertaining and some are aesthetically beautiful. Some are good to eat, some are useful in medicine. So, I think that not being afraid or having a very negative perspective enables people to see them in a way most Westerners can't. Robert Pemberton is a research entomologist whose work has led him to an appreciation of the rich and complex world of singing insects. Pemberton: I guess the first thing about listening to singing insects is to slow down a bit. Slow down and open your windows. There is actually a symphony of insect sounds out there at night and most of us just hurry through our lives and we don't hear them. Sit quietly and listen and you'll be surprised what you hear.All of these singing insects are parts of food webs and have some importance in the dynamics of the communities that they live in. But knowing that doesn't necessarily make us any more open to them. I think that if we can begin to listen that they can enhance our lives -- that there's a dimension of nature that most Westerners are missing. And we don't have to miss it. We can just listen. We've been listening to a program from our archives. If you want to hear more, check out our podcast.