BUGS
This red, black-spotted beetle, Coccinella septempunctata, is used to control aphids
What is a ladybug?
Its name comes from geranos, Greek for "crane"; its seed capsules look like a crane's bill
What is a geranium?
A child still small enough to ride a trike; it rhymes with "trike"
What is a tyke?
Rhode Island has 13 of these on its state flag, Texas only one
What is a star?
Calling HAZMAT! It's the act of making something impure or polluted
What is contamination?
As a defensive mechanism, some of these "thousand-legged worms" exude hydrogen cyanide fluid
What is a millipede?
In 1907 a pink one of these boutonniere flowers was chosen as the emblem of Mother's Day
What is a carnation?
This word for one not quite an adult comes from the same Latin root as "adult"
What is adolescent?
This bovine is found on the flags of both Kansas & Wyoming
What is a buffalo?
This word means to put off until another day or time
What is procrastinate?
This "pious" predator is the only insect that can move its head from side to side without moving other body parts
What is a praying mantis?
Japan's special day honoring this flower is also called the Festival of Happiness
What is the chrysanthemum?
3-letter term for a young man, or the British culture of hard-partying young men
What is a lad?
A flaming one of these on Indiana's flag represents liberty & enlightenment
What is a torch?
It's known as both glandular fever & the kissing disease
What is mononucleosis?
These insects belong to the superfamily Papilionoidea in the order Lepidoptera
What are butterflies?
The genus of this purplish flower is also a musical instrument
What is a violet?
Elliot Jaques coined this term for when adults realize their time will run out (so better buy a sports car)
What is a mid-life crisis?
Ohio's is the only flag in this shape with swallowtails, coveted by baseball teams
What is a pennant?
Indelibly impressed on the memory, like Nat King Cole
What is unforgettable?
Also called the 17-year locust, this loud insect reaches over 100 decibels
What is a cicada?
Saffron is derived from this flower
What is a crocus?
Time magazine called this gift "a metaphor for retirement from a corporate culture that cared for its workers"
What is a gold watch?
Its flag uses the red & yellow colors of the Spanish flag & the sun symbol of the Zia Indians
What is New Mexico?
This military officer is charged with providing shelter, clothing & transportation for troops
What is a quartermaster?