‘Dear Insect’
How do insects make you feel? One 19th century householder was so frustrated by the cockroaches in his house that he wrote a letter to try and reason with them.
What would you say to insects? Would you like to tell butterflies that they are beautiful, or be helpful to bees?
Traditionally, people dislike and even hate cockroaches (order Blattodea) because some of them prefer to live in our houses. However, not many of us know that less than 30 cockroach species out of 4,600 known worldwide are associated with human habitats. Of them, only four species are indeed known as pests. See here and here for more information.
Cicadas (family Cicadidae) constitute a large group of insects with over 3,000 species known worldwide. They seem to be best known for their buzzing and clicking songs, which could create an overpowering hum if lots of insects sing simultaneously. It is the males that produce species-specific songs by vibrating membranes (timbal organs) on their abdomens. They use different calls to express alarm or attract mates. Listen to some cicada songs that sound in the exhibition space. See here and here for more information.
Mantises are predatory insects that belong to the order Mantodea comprising over 2,400 species from temperate and tropical regions. All species have two spiked, grasping forelegs, which are used for catching and holding prey items. Mantises also have two large, bulbous eyes which aid them to see their prey or enemies. See here for more information.
Insect and spider postage stamps.
Personal collection