This study compared attitudes of school children in Germany and Costa Rica towards invertebrates. 271 students (134 Costa Rican and 137 German) in grades 4-6 completed a semantic differential questionnaire rating 13 adjective pairs related to invertebrates. Only 3 of the 13 pairs showed significant differences: Costa Rican students rated invertebrates as more dangerous, while Costa Rican boys rated them as more interesting and precious than German students. Although negative attitudes towards invertebrates seem culturally universal, experiential learning like nature outings can improve knowledge of and emotions towards invertebrates. The lack of appreciation for invertebrates in countries where they pose no danger requires further examination.