To bring attention to the insect world, David Kumar Anthonappa, director of Bengaluru-based Vibhinna India Foundation, wanted to construct 1,000 of what he calls insect café, also known as insect hotels or motels, worldwide.
These are mostly wood and mud structures, but the materials used will vary according to the area chosen to build them. Ideally, they are placed near water bodies or undisturbed areas in parks and gardens.
“I managed to put up some in Lalbagh Botanical Garden, with the help of the officials there as well as another NGO, Bhumi. We had put up some in Doddasaagare Botanical Garden in Tumakuru as well. But we needed help if we were to scale it to 1,000. It costs about Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 to build one. So, I reached out to corporate sponsors,” said Anthonappa.
Scores of educated people know nothing of the complex and interdependent world of insects. In their ignorance, they only regard them as pests, said entomologist GK Ramegowda.
“But they are really, really important for the natural balance of our world. Yes, even the pesky housefly, we can’t wait to swat to death. They are really good decomposers and ideally should be farmers’ best friends,” said Ramegowda, who is teaching agricultural entomology at the College of Horticulture, Yalachalli Horticulture Farm in Mysuru. This is a constituent college under the University of Horticultural Sciences, headquartered in Bagalkot and spread over 22 districts.
Nesting frames for insects are not new in Bengaluru. A small insect hotel was set up by the forest department in Bannerghatta Biological Park in 2021, possibly the first in the city. Similar hotels can also be found in Turahalli Tree Park and Kadugodi Tree Park, which were installed by forest department officials.
These cafes or hotels are but a tiny step towards insect conservation, augmentation and enrichment, said Ramegowda.
“If you look at the total species in the world, almost 40% to 50% will comprise insect species. But intensive cultivation of lands has wiped so many of them out, and it is crucial that we get them back as each one has a role to play in the bigger scheme of things,” said Ramegowda.
Man’s interference totally skewed the balance maintained by nature, said Ramegowda. “Pests’ life cycle used to be just a season. But then, people wanted to eat things fresh even in non-seasons and started manipulating the natural cycle. So along with year-long mangoes, we also have to deal with pests year-round,” he added.
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