jackofallgeeks: (Bashful)
John Noble ([personal profile] jackofallgeeks) wrote2007-08-31 10:04 am

(no subject)

So, one of the things that's really irritated me about the place I live is that there's no screen on my the window. Most of the time, the weather here is nice enough that I could very happily sleep with the window open, and doing so really improves the quality of the room. Unfortunately, opening the window at night (or especially at twilight, it seems) assures that bugs will get into my room. I don't like bugs.

Last night I'd gone out to the game shop to play board games and forgotten to close my window. When I got home, there were a half-dozen or so flying insects flitting about my walls and ceiling, including two reasonably large moths of one stripe or another. I don't like bugs.

I decided that I would turn off the lights as I went to bed, leave the window open and figure they would be gone by dawn (as, for some reason, these sorts of bugs are never anywhere when the sun's up). With the lights out, though, the bugs became more active. I hid under my covers as something large and winged droned over my head. I could hear then bumping into the walls and scurrying against the window. I suppose it might've been a bit humorous if I wasn't so scared. I don't like bugs.

Out of curiosity, does anyone know the name for an irrational fear of winged insects?

[identity profile] nif.livejournal.com 2007-08-31 06:38 pm (UTC)(link)
I know the name for an irrational fear of winged insects: Totally Normal.

[identity profile] jackofallgeeks.livejournal.com 2007-08-31 07:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Hmmm, that doesn't seem quite right... "Yeah, I really can't stand flying insects: my shrink says I have Totally Normal."

[identity profile] bsgnome.livejournal.com 2007-08-31 10:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Lepidopteraphobia is the fear of Moths and/or butterflies (insects of the order lepidoptera [Greek Lepidos scale + Ptera wing "Scaely-winged things"]. It can also extend to dragonflies, and other large-winged insects.

Pteronophobia is the fear of wings or feathers.

Entomophobia is the fear of insects (sometimes Insectophobia).

I think, if you wanted to get as specific as "the fear of winged insects," you'd probably get a word along the lines of "Entomopteraphobia".

[identity profile] otakulk.livejournal.com 2007-09-01 03:13 am (UTC)(link)
You should be able to find some screenlike material to cover your window with at a harware store pretty cheap, though with you moving soon it may not be worth it.

[identity profile] ambereternal.livejournal.com 2007-09-01 10:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"Lepidopteraphobia is the extreme, irrational fear of butterflies, moths, and other members of the order lepidoptera. The sufferer may also fear dragonflies and other large winged insects. It is a fairly uncommon phobia."

According to wikipedia, that's what you suffer from. I recommend duct-taping a pillowcase or spare sheet over your window for the rest of your stay. The air can get through, but no bugs can. Unless you're after the natural light, then it may be a problem...