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Native American Beetle Mythology

Beetles do not feature very often in Native American legends. Like other swarming insects, they are sometimes associated with disease and evil sorcery. But some beetles have more positive connotations in Native American traditions, such as the Navajo tribe, where cornbeetles are associated with fertility, and the Hopi tribe, where black beetles were said to have pioneered the first rain dance. In some South American legends, the dung beetle (or scarab beetle) was even the original creator of the Earth.

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Native American Legends About Beetles

Hopi Beetle Story:
    Hopi Indian legend about how the black beetles brought rain to the land.

Recommended Books of Beetle Stories from Native American Myth and Legend
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Spirits of the Earth: A Guide to Native American Nature Symbols, Stories, and Ceremonies:
    Book about the meanings of Indian animal spirits, including a chapter on beetles.
Insect Mythology:
    Interesting book on the role of beetles and other insects in world mythology, including Native North America and Mesoamerica.
Native American Animal Stories:
    Good collection of American Indian tales about animals, told by Abenaki storyteller Joseph Bruchac.



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