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Insects
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Insects and Art
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Insects and Art

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Role of Insects in Human Society".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 21040

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Barbara Manachini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
SAAF - Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze 13, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
Interests: Biodiversity; Cultural Heritage; Insect pests; Risk Assessement; Art
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Stefano Vanin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genova, Corso Europa, 26, 16132 Genova, Italy
Interests: archaeoentomology; funerary archaeoentomology; biodegradation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Insects are known to be severe pests that are detrimental to artefacts, museums, monuments, paintings, and to cultural heritage in general. It is worth mentioning that, on the other hand, their products (e.g. wax, silk, lac, etc.) have been largely used in art, as in other aspects of culture, and that insects (honey bees, butterflies, flies, stag beetles, etc.) are important symbols that are often represented in paintings and sculptures, as well as in books or heraldry, all over the world. Insects are used as models, and they are also used or “copied” in literature, music, dance, and in jewellery. Insects should be considered not only as pests of art, but part of art itself. Insects are in fact an important part of human imagination and symbolism. Submission to this Special Issue of Insects is open to all researchers studying insect pests that cause loss and damage to cultural heritage, and insects used for inspiring art and other aspects of today’s culture.  

Both original research articles and review papers are welcome. The Special Issue is intended to offer a venue for scientists from different disciplines whose common objective is developing and applying scientific methods to improve the research and knowledge on insects with negative effects (pests), or that inspire cultural heritage.

Dr. Barbara Manachini
Prof. Stefano Vanin
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • art
  • crafts
  • integrated pest management
  • museum
  • cultural heritage
  • symbolism

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 2089 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Potential Molecular Markers in Lac Insect Kerria lacca (Kerr) Responsible for Lac Production
by Nawaz Haider Bashir, Weiwei Wang, Xiaofei Ling, Jinwen Zhang, Qin Lu, Rui He and Hang Chen
Insects 2022, 13(6), 545; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects13060545 - 14 Jun 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2578
Abstract
Kerria lacca (Kerr) is an important lac insect extensively used in industrial products in the form of resin, wax and dye. The scarce knowledge on molecular markers for K. lacca is a barrier in elucidating genetic information. Our study identified a total of [...] Read more.
Kerria lacca (Kerr) is an important lac insect extensively used in industrial products in the form of resin, wax and dye. The scarce knowledge on molecular markers for K. lacca is a barrier in elucidating genetic information. Our study identified a total of 16,921 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and 6231 insertions and deletions (InDels)—of which, intergenic variation accounted for 41.22% and 56.30%, and exonic variation accounted for 39.10% and 17.46%, of SNPs and InDels, respectively. Observation of SNPs suggested that nucleotide substitution frequency and transition to transversion (Ts/Tv) ratio were highest at the late adult stage, 3.97, compared to at the other stages, with a genome-wide Ts/Tv ratio of 2.95. The maximum number of SNPs, 2853 (16.86%), was identified in chromosome 8, while the lowest, 1126 (6.65%), was identified in chromosome 7. The maximum and minimum numbers of InDels were located on chromosome 1 and 7, with 834 (13.38%) and 519 (8.33%), respectively. Annotation showed that highest numbers of exonic and intergenic SNPs were present at the late adult stage, whereas the maximum number of InDels was found at the larval stage. On the basis of gene function, 47 gene variations were screened and 23 candidate genes were identified in associations with lac production. Concluding work will enhance knowledge on molecular markers to facilitate an increase in lac production in K. lacca as well as other lac insects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insects and Art)
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6 pages, 1393 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Insect Pests in an 18th-Century Historical Pharmacy: A Case Study in Ferrara
by Loren Anna Palazzo, Chiara Beatrice Vicentini, Maria Gabriella Marchetti, Marilena Leis, Milvia Chicca, Chiara Scapoli, Teresa Bonacci and Marco Pezzi
Insects 2021, 12(9), 839; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects12090839 - 18 Sep 2021
Viewed by 1813
Abstract
Historical pharmacies are valuable artistic, cultural, and scientific assets. In Italy, 482 historical pharmacies have been catalogued thus far, among which is the Navarra-Bragliani Pharmacy in Ferrara, whose wood furniture dates back to the 18th century. A study on insects causing biodeterioration was [...] Read more.
Historical pharmacies are valuable artistic, cultural, and scientific assets. In Italy, 482 historical pharmacies have been catalogued thus far, among which is the Navarra-Bragliani Pharmacy in Ferrara, whose wood furniture dates back to the 18th century. A study on insects causing biodeterioration was carried out for the first time on this valuable asset in order to monitor and preserve it. Insect samples were collected during surveys and examined by stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, using taxonomical keys for identification. The results revealed the presence of three species of Coleoptera—the first one specialised to attack wood materials, the second one polyphagous, and the third one feeding on materials of animal origin. The data obtained in this investigation may be useful for the preservation of the precious furnishing of the historical Navarra-Bragliani Pharmacy for performing similar studies on other ancient pharmacies aimed to protect these valuable cultural and scientific assets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insects and Art)
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17 pages, 1791 KiB  
Article
A Historical Collection of Termites in Ferrara: Recovery, Cataloguing and Geographical Analyses
by Davide Curci, Chiara Scapoli, Maria Gabriella Marchetti, Milvia Chicca, Marilena Leis, Chiara Beatrice Vicentini, Teresa Bonacci and Marco Pezzi
Insects 2021, 12(9), 793; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects12090793 - 04 Sep 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2496
Abstract
Termites are an insect group relevant for recycling of organic matter, but they are also biodeteriogenic and may cause serious damages to wooden structures (including historical buildings and ancient libraries) in anthropogenic environments. The collection of Italian and foreign termites gathered over the [...] Read more.
Termites are an insect group relevant for recycling of organic matter, but they are also biodeteriogenic and may cause serious damages to wooden structures (including historical buildings and ancient libraries) in anthropogenic environments. The collection of Italian and foreign termites gathered over the years by Antonio Springhetti, Professor of Zoology at the University of Ferrara (Ferrara, Italy) and internationally renowned entomologist, contains over 44,000 specimens, collected by Springhetti during his field campaigns or donated by other entomologists from all over the world. The collection is currently preserved at the Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology of the University of Ferrara. Unfortunately, all documents, publications and notes concerning the Springhetti Collection were lost; thus, in 2020, the collection was completely re-catalogued within the University Museum System and analyzed in detail. The collection contains specimens dating back to 1878 and represents not only a valuable scientific tool for studies on these ecologically relevant insects that may cause damages to historical buildings, ancient books and artworks but also an important cultural asset for the University Museum System. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insects and Art)
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Review

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14 pages, 3539 KiB  
Review
Unraveling the Role of Lac Insects in Providing Natural Industrial Products
by Nawaz Haider Bashir, Huanhuan Chen, Shahzad Munir, Weiwei Wang, Hang Chen, Yong-Kang Sima and Jiandong An
Insects 2022, 13(12), 1117; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects13121117 - 05 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 6689
Abstract
In the current era, products made from organic materials enjoy a privileged position because of their inherent safety. The eco-friendly properties of natural lac resins have increased their demand in many industries. It is secreted by sucking insects (Hemiptera, Kerriidae) and comprises three [...] Read more.
In the current era, products made from organic materials enjoy a privileged position because of their inherent safety. The eco-friendly properties of natural lac resins have increased their demand in many industries. It is secreted by sucking insects (Hemiptera, Kerriidae) and comprises three major components, viz., resin, dye, and wax. Lac insects are generally bivoltine in nature and are distributed in tropical and sub-tropical regions with complex multi-trophic habitats. Because of their sedentary habits, lac insects are more vulnerable to predators, parasitoids, squirrels, and rats, leading to a more than 50% reduction in production yield. To increase lac production, advanced-level molecular research is required to figure out the mechanism behind lac synthesis and secretion to improve lac yield and quality. The present review highlights metamorphosis, sexual dimorphism, multi-trophic habitat, host plants, and natural enemies of lac insects, lac composition, and applications, emphasizing the role of microbes, potential lac genes, and lac synthesis mechanisms in enhancing lac quality and production. The information provided here might be useful for lac researchers and for stakeholders aiming to make their products more eco-friendly. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insects and Art)
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29 pages, 4575 KiB  
Review
Fireflies in Art: Emphasis on Japanese Woodblock Prints from the Edo, Meiji, and Taishō Periods
by Deirdre A. Prischmann-Voldseth
Insects 2022, 13(9), 775; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects13090775 - 27 Aug 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5481
Abstract
Examining how insects are represented in artwork can provide insight into people’s perceptions and attitudes towards arthropods, as well as document human–insect interactions and how they change through time. Fireflies are well-known bioluminescent beetles (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) of great cultural significance, especially in Japan. [...] Read more.
Examining how insects are represented in artwork can provide insight into people’s perceptions and attitudes towards arthropods, as well as document human–insect interactions and how they change through time. Fireflies are well-known bioluminescent beetles (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) of great cultural significance, especially in Japan. A selection of online museum collections, art databases, and dealer websites were used to find artwork featuring fireflies, with an emphasis on Japanese ukiyo-e wood block prints from the Edo, Meiji, and Taishō time periods (1600–1926). Quotes from early twentieth century texts were used to provide additional historical context. Over 90 different artists created artwork featuring fireflies, including several renowned masters. Artists depicted adult fireflies in a variety of ways (e.g., relatively accurately, more generalized, symbolic or abstract, yellowish dots) in the absence and presence of people. Most images were set outdoors during the evening near water, and primarily featured women and children, groups of women, and large parties catching fireflies or observing caged fireflies. ‘Beauties’, geisha, courtesans, kabuki actors, and insect vendors were also common subjects. Various types of collecting tools and a diversity of cages were featured, as well as insect vendors. The artwork highlights the complex connections between fireflies and humans. Insect-related art can contribute to education and conservation efforts, particularly for dynamic insects such as fireflies that are facing global population declines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insects and Art)
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