bugs that aren't super intimidating and might be easier to look at for people with phobias. none of them are dangerous to humans!

• orchid mantis (hymenopatus coronatus) - a super small, super gorgeous white mantis with pink tips and wings!
• various local snails around you - not technically bugs 🤓 but still easily approachable for people who want to get more used to these types of creatures! slow and gentle, like hanging out on hands
• fiddler beetle (eupoecila australasiae) - black beetle with yellow or green markings! looks like a fantasy bug :) common in australia!
• bold jumping spider (phidippus audax)- jumping spiders in general are a good gateaway to appreciating spiders more, but i wanted to mention the bold jumper specifically because i think it looks the cutest! they are black with white stripes, and they have colored spots on their back that change color as they age. the most memorable thing about them though is their mouth! they have shiny green mouth grabbers! very very cute, their faces look like this •||•
• cinnabar moth (tyria jacobaeae) - a gorgeous black and red moth that eats an invasive plant and has thus been introduced the NZ, AUS, and NA to control the spread of it! beautiful and useful!
• rosy ermine moth (trosia nigropunctigera) - a fuzzy white moth with red spots, looks like an irl pokemon!

youtube channels for bug content ideal for first timers

• jumping spider film - cute jumping spider videos
• please bee - raising bugs found from the wild, particularly mantises. occasionally comedic mosquito/destructive bug killing videos. lots of close-ups of things some might consider uncomfortable like bug faces
• serpadesign - terrarium and vivarium builder
• enthusiclast - orchid mantis videos, you can see how they interact with a human
• clint's reptiles - reptile focused channel, but has a lot of bug related videos as well. very enthusiastic narration and explanations for bug pet care