Rhode Island’s Iconic Big Blue Bug Wasn’t Always Blue

Certain things develop icon status over time and can become landmarks, even guideposts when giving directions. "If you pass the giant seahorse on the left in Mattapoisett, you know you've gone too far" is just one example.

Dartmouth's now-former Viking on Route 6, the red-and-white checkered New Bedford water tower, the former Paul Revere neon sign, and the CITGO sign at Boston's Kenmore Square are examples of things like the seahorse that have gained iconic status.

Rhode Island is home to one of the better-known iconic landmarks in New England. Anyone who has traveled Interstate 95 through Providence is familiar with the "Big Blue Bug" or "Nibbles Woodaway," as he is known to local insiders.

READ MORE: Rhode Island's Big Blue Bug Has a Name and We Just Never Knew

New England Pest Control installed the giant fiberglass and steel Big Blue Bug on its roof 45 years ago. The company, now Big Blue Bug Solutions, explains on its website, "In 1980, after moving to a new building along Interstate 95, our company's leadership had an idea to put something unique on top of our roof. That small idea turned into the world-famous Big Blue Bug."

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The Big Blue Bug is a replica of an eastern subterranean termite. The bug is 58 feet long, nine feet tall and weighs 4,000 pounds.

What you might not know about the Big Blue Bug is that it wasn't always blue.

"The bug was originally painted purple, the color of a live termite swarmer under a microscope, but the sunlight soon faded it to blue," according to the website.

The company says, "It became so well-known as the 'Big Blue Bug' that we decided to keep it blue."

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As you can see, Big Bug Solutions often decorates its iconic termite to match the seasons. Christmastime finds Nibbles Woodway sporting reindeer antlers and a Rudolph-style red nose.

He even once became "The Incredible Hulk" to help celebrate Rhode Island Comic Con.