II Insect Festival
Come and wonder at the 2nd Insect Festival: an unmissable fun scientific event! Get ready for a unique activity-filled hub for all ages. Dive into a participatory experience combining art and science, interactive workshops, captivating exhibitions, an exciting documentary screening, a monologue by a scientific speaker and so much more! Flutter on down to the festival and marvel at its delights!
The event will take place on 24th May, from 5 to 8 pm, in Sa Riera Building (Palma).
Presentation of the II Insect Festival and II Photography Contest Award Ceremony (5 pm)
From colorful cockroaches to delicate butterflies, we want to celebrate the beauty and diversity of these little creatures that play a crucial role in our ecosystems. We are waiting to see the best photographs! Entering is easy: share your insect photos on Instagram with the official contest hashtag and tag us for a chance to win amazing prizes. So prepare your cameras, get closer to the details and discover the hidden magic of the insect world. Let the photography adventure begin!
Here are the rules of the contest in Instagram.
Workshops for Primary School Children (5 – 7 pm, duration 30 min. each workshop) Pre-registration required: Click here to register!
* Workshop 1: ‘Explorando el mundo de los polinizadores: acciones para su protección.’ Come and learn about pollinators in the Mediterranean, how important pollination is and current biodiversity loss. Learn how you can contribute to conservation by building insect hotels, growing honey plants and cutting pesticide use. Come and join us at this interactive experience to promote positive attitudes towards pollinators and the environment!
* Workshop 2: ‘STOP Invasores.’ Do you know the difference between native, pest, exotic and invasive species? Come and learn about the main causes and pathways for species introduction and how anthropogenic climate change fosters adaptation amongst the invasive insects studied on the STOP Invaders project. Make sure not to miss this chance to widen your knowledge on ecosystem conservation!
* Workshop 3: ‘Conviértete en insecto por un día.’ This workshop will explain how different insect structures work and the functions they fulfil. Discover different feeding mechanisms, flight control (wings), egg-laying types, colours and visual systems. Additionally, make your own masks and body parts inspired by your favourite insect to take home with you! Come along to this fun scientific event and be amazed by the fascinating world of insects!
Face painting (5.15 – 6.15 pm)
“Forest Pollinators”. Art and Nature. Participatory installation by Trazos de Bosque with Nívola Uyà and Marc Ayats (available throughout the festival).
Join us to participate in the creation of a collective artwork in the form of an insect! An exciting opportunity to merge art and science as we explore the vital importance of insects in our ecosystems. Our artwork will take the form of a three-dimensional structure of an insect, and we want all of you to contribute. From recycled paper to fabric, wire, and natural elements like branches, leaves, and seeds, each contribution will add a new dimension to our collective masterpiece. With the guidance of facilitating artists, each participant will create an individual piece that will then be integrated into the collective structure of the insect. This collaborative process will not only reflect the interconnectedness and cooperation necessary in natural ecosystems but will also serve as a powerful educational tool. Through this experience, we will foster awareness and care for insects and their habitat. Come and join us to celebrate the beauty and importance of these incredible beings and learn more about how we can protect them together!
Documentary “Hijas del sol: abejas silvestres” (5:15 p.m., duration: 50 min.)
Most people associate honey-producing insects with the name “bee.” Few realize that there are thousands of different species of bees, most of them living their lives as “busy as bees,” and some are even known to be killers. “Wild Bees” showcases the incredible diversity and adaptations of our bees to various habitats and diverse living conditions. Fascinating battles, sensational performances, imposing structures, and colorful creatures.
Invasapp Presentation (6 pm)
We are excited to introduce the citizen science tool Invasapp, developed as part of the STOPInvasoras project (PDR2020/25). This application aims to inform about the presence of invasive insects and contribute significantly to the research and management of these species threatening our islands. During the presentation, we will not only provide a practical demonstration of the application but also conduct a detailed analysis of each of the 21 species of invasive insects included in the research project. Our experts will share crucial information about the origin, characteristics, environmental impact, and control strategies of each species.
Invasapp Capsules (looping projection)
We will project in a cyclical manner a series of videos about the invasive species of insects included in the STOPInvasoras project (PDR2020/25), with the aim of raising awareness among the public about this issue and providing detailed information about each of the species involved. Each video, with an approximate duration of 3 minutes, will offer a comprehensive overview of the taxonomic and morphological description of the species, its origin, biology, and ecology, as well as its current distribution and invasive potential in the Balearic Islands. These videos will provide a profound understanding of the threat posed by these invasive insects to the native ecosystems of the Balearic Islands, as well as the importance of taking preventive and control measures.
Exhibition “La isla de los polinizadores” by Divulgare (available throughout the festival)
We find ourselves at a critical moment in the history of the planet where human interference is causing serious problems that disrupt the ecological and evolutionary processes that have governed life on Earth for millennia. The story we tell here is a wake-up call for all of us, reminding us that we are part of a living and vibrant world, and that our actions can have unpredictable and catastrophic consequences. It is also an invitation to reflect on the legacy we want to leave for future generations and on the role that each of us must play to protect and preserve life on our planet.
Talk: “La mierda es un mundo” with Dr Eva Cuesta, researcher at the Autonomous University of Madrid and creator of Biotura (6.15 pm, duration: 30 min.)
As a Doctor in Entomology, during her doctoral studies at the National Museum of Natural Sciences (CSIC), she specialized in the impact of global change on some beetle communities and their strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change and global warming. Additionally, she is the creator of the science communication platform Biotura, with dozens of posts on science, talks, activities, citizen science, and initiatives. She also collaborates with Big Van Ciencia, making scientific knowledge accessible to all types of audiences.
Ento-monologue by comedian and naturalist Xavier Canyelles (7.15 pm)
Xavier Canyelles is recognized as a talented illustrator, naturalist, and comedy actor. His passion for nature and art is reflected in his extensive work, which ranges from books about insects and fish of the Balearic Islands to explorations of Mallorca’s fantastic fauna in popular culture.
Closure of the II Insect Festival (8 pm)
