The wonderful world of insects

They may be small and maligned, but there's a lot we can learn from insects

"Eeeeekkkkk! Cockroach…kill it quick!" This is the first reaction of most people (especially female) when confronted with a cockroach or any other insect for that matter.

However, there is a motley group that believes a cockroach is not just some pesky insect, but a creature to be respected. Say hello to the Insect Lovers Group.

This Yahoo group was created in 2001 by the very feisty and passionate Dr V Shubhalaxmi. It was basically formed as a mode of communication for the present and ex-students of the BNHS's (Bombay Natural History Society) Distance Learning Programme in Basic Entomology course.

Dr Shubhalaxmi, who teaches this course, coined the name because "very few people like insects, but after taking the course they fall in love with them". The group provides insect lovers (251 till date) with a chance to share their knowledge, discuss queries, upload pictures of new and unknown insects and a chance to share their views. These insect maniacs plan special trips, nature trails and other programmes aimed at helping them learn more about the insect world. It is a sharing medium of their ento-experiences as the group claims.

"This group has added a new dimension to my life," says Katie Bagli who joined it four years ago. "Being a nature lover, earlier I used to just be interested in mammals." Dr Usha N Desai, who joined in 2001, agrees with her. She says, "As a member of the group, I get to discuss and learn more about insects. Also, I have made friends with people of all ages and who share similar interests, which is amazing."

The Entomology course is a one of a kind hobby course spread over one year that aims to popularise insects among people. Once a month an interaction is held and study material is sent out to participants. Besides, they have to compulsorily attend one field camp and complete an assignment on the insects around them. Dr Shubhalaxmi chuckles: "Our question paper at the end of the year is very lively and fun. We include puzzles, crosswords, and games, and ask them to write poems or create greeting cards. We also create make-believe situations about the insect world."

Sample some of the make-believe situations: In a beehive, the queen bee is seduced by a king and she hands over power to  him, how will he rule? What if a caterpillar decides it does not want to become a butterfly?

Dr Shubhalaxmi believes that those who study and rear insects undergo a personality change - they become more sociable, learn to find pleasure in small things and their stress levels decrease. "The life of an insect is so complicated and yet they survive. It makes one think that if something so tiny can survive so can we, despite all our problems," she says.

Some of the group members confess to writing poems and short stories on the insects. Katie laughs, "Besides writing stories and poems, being an insect lover has made me develop a love for photography."

Around 75 per cent of life forms on this earth are insects. If such is the case then why do people hate them so much? Pat comes the reply from Dr Shubhalaxmi: "People are biased because they do not understand insects."

She adds, "There is always a mystery element attached to insects. There is so much we do not know about them and there is so much we need to learn from them." What could one possibly learn from insects? The light given out by fireflies is cold light, it does not give out heat and hence the efficiency is 100 per cent.

Contrast this to ordinary bulbs that use only five per cent energy, the rest is lost in heat. Wasps can reproduce clones if the need arises. Termites and honeybees can decide whether they want male or female eggs. The one aspect of insect that works in their favour is their size. Ants, for instance can carry 50 times their weight.

Mosquitoes may be small, but malaria is yet to be eradicated. The more one tries to kill cockroaches the more immune they become to insecticides. Female moths release a chemical (pheromone) that can attract males upto a kilometer away. These are but some of the fascinating insights into the insect world. Katie adds, "There are many dramas that take place in the insect world. They have their own armies, colonies, kings, queens, doctors, hunters etc."

Insects are a much-maligned species. Yet, once you learn about them, they can fascinate and surprise you. As Dr Shubhalaxmi maintains, there isn't a single thing on the planet that humans have done, which insects haven't.

If you are the type who is always hungry for knowledge, loves challenges and is interested in knowing more about this species, join the Entomology course (starting June 29 onwards). At the end of it, you will become a part of the Insect Lovers Group. 

The course is open to all those interested in insects and plants and their natural history. The year-long course starts on June 29. Fees for adults is Rs5,500 and senior citizens and students (upto graduation) are Rs4,000. For details contact Dr Shubhalaxmi at 28421174 or 9323738622 or e-mail cecbnhs@gmail.com.