Incredulous
The colors and patterns that adorn the bodies and wings of beetles, moths, and dragonflies are nothing short of astonishing. My reaction to seeing them is like hearing an incredulous story: you can’t make this stuff up. And, in fact, you don’t need to…all you need to do is look.
Tips and Techniques– When painting insects I start with the lightest “ground” color(s) on the body or wings. Sometimes the base layer is best created with a wet-in-wet wash of one or more colors that merge right on the paper. Once dry, I lay down the patterns on top of the base layer in a series of dry washes with a small brush. If the surface is shiny or iridescent, I leave a bit of white paper to produce that effect. Insects are classified in the phylum arthropods, and their three pairs of jointed legs resemble the claws of lobsters and crabs—which are also arthropods.
Drawn In 
Totally agree with your post title, “Incredulous.” Until I began serious nature journaling, bugs were the farthest curiosity from my mind. But now, I’m also amazed at the variety of detailed patterns, wing structure, and color of any bug that creeps, crawls, and flys. I even marvel over the sadly deceased specimens; even in death arthropods are fascinating. Looks like you’ve been museum hopping again!? The pinned specimens on your pages are gorgeously drawn and painted. And thanks for the tips and techniques on painting their iridescence!
Truth be told, I am both fascinated and repelled by certain ones. I might prefer to encounter some of the beetles dead than alive. But taking time to notice adds a whole new dimension to nature journaling. As E.O. Wilson aptly pointed out: “it’s the little things that rule the world.”
You quoted the very best authority on bugs …… especially he would know, when it comes to ants!