the birds and the bees.

Hornets are bee-like insects that sometimes attack people. If you are really angry, you might say you are

mad as a hornet.

And if you

stir up a hornet's nest,

you create trouble or problems.

Butterflies are beautiful insects, but you would not want to

have butterflies in your stomach.

That means to be nervous about having to do something, like speaking in front of a crowd. You would also not want to have

ants in your pants

. That is, to be restless and unable to sit still.

Here are some expressions about plain old bugs, another word for insects. If a friend keeps asking you to do something you do not want to do, you might ask him to leave you alone or "

stop

bugging me.

" A friend also might tell you again and again to do something. If so, you might say he

put a bug in your ear.

If you were reading a book in your warm bed on a cold winter's day, you might say you were

snug as a bug in a rug.

And if you wish someone good night, you might say,

"sleep tight -- don't let the bed bugs bite."

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This VOA Special English program was written by Shelley Gollust. I'm Faith Lapidus. You can find more WORDS AND THEIR STORIES at voaspecialenglish.com.