Insect phobia out of nowhere

[Mishee]

4 year old DD has suddenly developed a phobia of any insect or other type of bug 'without wings' unless it's a big small flying creature because she doesn't like little wings! So, ladybirds and butterflies are OK. Anything else, e.g. spiders, fruit flies, make her stop dead still and scream hysterically. It seems genuine and not put on. It's not only real creatures but bits of fluff (I'm afraid that I'm not houseproud, so have ots of bits of fluff!)that she imagines are creatures. She's always found spiders very funny & we try to keep them until Daddy gets home to show him and she loves ladybirds crawling over her. HELP (please)!

I've found that capturing a few of the offending critters and putting them in a jar for closer examination is a good way to calm things down. When imprisoned in a jar the child gets to examine the bug from all angles and is therefore in a position of power. Even quite boring insects often have interesting markings.