For some people, spotting anything with six legs causes panic peppered with screams of horror, but for others, insects are viewed as beautiful creatures worthy of being tattooed on the body. If you fall into the latter group, you probably find bug tattoos to be quite the opposite of gross. Ants, beetles, spiders (we know, they're technically arachnids, but humor us), and even moths can be chic when transformed into intricate, tiny tattoos.
A bug tattoo done well can make you truly appreciate the tiny animals. Observing an insect tattoo up close will have you notice details you would have never spotted while swatting the bug away from your face. The meticulous fuzz on a bee, a butterfly's patterned wings, and even a fly's eyes all make for hyperrealistic tattoos. There are countless ways to spice up your bug tattoo, with the most obvious being flowers, vines, and other types of foliage. However, if you want to get a little more creative, you can try stars, hearts, and even geometric lines to make your insect tattoo stand out from the rest.
From moths and bees to flies and ants, we rounded up a variety of tattoos of insects. Whether you need inspiration to help you choose an animal or maybe just need clarification on the placement of your new tattoo, take a look at the bug tattoos ahead. We promise this list goes way beyond the basic butterfly and dragonfly designs you've seen a million times.
Small, delicate butterflies are amazing to get tattooed near numeral tattoos commemorating important dates.
This delicate, fine-line dragonfly is adorned with vines and a magical halo.
While we love black-ink tattoos, including a bee's signature yellow stripes adds some personality to your design.
This adorable ladybug looks good in color or black ink — it's your choice.
This lightning bug tattoo features three glowing insects in a jar.
A beetle tattoo like this one is perfect for insect-lovers.
This moth tattoo fits its location beautifully.
Small stars adorn this adorable fly tattoo.
The wings of this moth are shaded with vibrant orange to make it pop.
Luna moths are stunning insects to get tattooed.
This ladybug has hearts on the wings instead of spots for a fun twist.
When you think of insect tattoos, butterflies and ladybugs instantly come to mind, but a cricket is just as cute but way more unique.
This detailed bee tattoo includes little stars with black and white ink.
The wings of any bug can serve as a canvas to further elevate your insect tattoo.
This super-realistic bee appears to be framed in this striking tattoo.
Ants are the perfect addition to your tattoo collection, especially if you already have a sleeve.
This tattoo features a moth with lovely detailing and shading on the wings.
This cool butterfly tattoo conveys movement with the wings.
This insect tattoo features a realistic wasp.
This beautiful tattoo features a luna moth with detailing on the wings, including the colors for the transgender flag.
This dragonfly tattoo is tattooed in red ink, making it unique.
A rose that's on fire is placed above this dramatic yet subtle butterfly tattoo.
Butterfly tattoos can look incredibly elegant.
Trippy patterns decorate the cicada's wings in this bug tattoo.
These wings with a star in the middle make for a creative butterfly tattoo.
If you're looking for a small, elegant insect tattoo, consider a tiny bee design like this one.
This insect tattoo features a hyperrealistic fly.