Hanging the Insect Homes

Checking out the new furnishings.

I had a couple of visitors having a look at the different furnishings in the insect homes today, hey didn't stay around too long so it was difficult to get their opinion but time will tell.

Insect Home Furnishings

There's a mantis in the bath and a beetle on the toilet

Day of the Insects

It has been a sunny but gusty day here in Wellington but it also has been a busy day for insects. I was take some photographs of the insect hotels and found a willing model in a passing stick insect, then I was playing around with the toy furniture for the children's insect homes and found a weevil, I think it is a weevil but not that sure, but what ever it was again it was happy to pose for the camera. 

Then outside I was carrying a box when a New Zealand bush giant dragonfly decided to land on me, I was a bit surprised but also annoyed because I couldn't get the camera to take a picture, luckily it returned later a sat on the toolbox and chair for awhile. Also many other insects have been attracted to the hebes that flowering so all in all a good day for the insects.

Insect Aerial - self adjusting

Insect Information

If you want to learn about New Zealand insects, Maori insect lore and lots more information then follow the link below. It is aimed at school age children, Y1 - 10,  but useful for all.
Insect education kit.

"KIKIHI AND POPOKORUA

In the summer the New Zealand bush reverberates with the busy sounds of Kikihi the

cicada. As you listen to the drowsy, buzzing sounds, winter seems far away. In fact

that is what the cicada sings. "The winter is past and summer is here. Let us sing our

song on the warm bark of trees and be glad, for cold and darkness have gone

away for ever."

If, however, you listened very carefully you might hear another, softer song. This is

sung by those who work throughout the summer time, close to the ground. It is the

song of Popokorua, the ants. "Winter is coming" they sing as they busily scurry

about gathering food and carrying it underground for storage. "We need food to

keep us alive in the cold days of winter. Let us work to live." Winter comes. The cooling

wind that blew softly in summer now shakes the leaves ferociously. Icy rain pelts

down on the saturated soil. Kikihi, grows thin and hungry and finally dies still clinging

to the cold bark. Underground the ant family is snug and well fed, looking forward

to the next fruitful summer."

Laser Cut Insect Homes

These are the laser cut and etched insect homes, they just need their interiors finished to the insects liking and they are ready to go. The final bit will be hanging them at Splore, the plan is to attach them to the trees using bungee cords so they don't damage the trees.