By
Mindy Jones
Arizona Daily Wildcat
UA graduate students educate others on the many uses of
Insects take on an artistic flavor as UA entomology students prepare bugs for your palette.
Barrett Klein, a University of Arizona graduate student, will present a variety of examples of anthropoids as a media of art at an open exhibit this afternoon. The presentation features ways that insects and arachnids act as mediums of art.
Klein, who traveled to Paris for an international conference on oral literature and traditions, will repeat his presentation with a few added "twists."
Following two slide show presentations, entomology graduate student, Marci Tarre will cook up insect-infested dishes for audience members to sample.
"I think this presentation will really open people's eyes," Klein said.
The exhibit will show insects used directly, such as the fore wings of a beetle, as well as indirectly, including beeswax, honey and silk, in different photographed pieces.
Also on hand will be pieces from the entomology department's insect specimen collection.
The exhibit is fueled by the inspiration Klein felt when he first got interested in entomology.
"The limitless behaviors, colors and forms of insects are awe inspiring," he said. "I see them as perfectly accessible to artwork and work in science."
Bruce Tabashnik, head of the entomology department, stressed the importance of having an exhibit to appreciate insects from many perspectives.
His interest in bugs began when he visited Africa after completing his undergraduate education at the University of Michigan.
"I saw poverty and starvation in Africa and I wanted to work in an area where I could help to improve food supply," Tabashnik said. "I wanted to apply my knowledge of ecology to help the community."
Tabashnik said that, unlike other cultures, Americans often view insects in a negative fashion and disregard that anything can be gained from them.
"Insects are so often considered pests, but they also have an aesthetic and nutritional value as well," he said.
Tabashnik, who admits to digesting insects when given the opportunity, said these ideas are incorporated in the general goals of the UA entomology department.
One of the major focuses of the department is to find ways to manage insects without pesticides.
This non-polluting form of insect control is critical to developing and conserving Arizona's ecosystem, Tabashnik said.
Carl Olson, associate curator of the UA entomology department, agreed that many opportunities are wasted by insect stereotypes.
"Just like the idiotic prejudices that people have against different colors and nationalities," he said. "They have them about these little animals."
Olson supplied Klein specimens and physical samples from the UA collection for the exhibit.
He said it was important for him to help students, through this presentation, to understand "the most diverse group of animals" in the world.
Although people are initially enticed by bugs' different shapes, colors, and designs, Olson said that they are essentially the basis of all life forms.
Olson, who has also sampled creatures such as termites, beetles and moths, said that as a carnivore, insects are a natural part of the diet.
"Other cultures don't have McDonalds," he said. "They need bugs."
