Monstrous, mythological insects make for symposium success

On 20th November, the Cambridge University Entomological Society ran a symposium, titled ’The Good, the Bad, and the Monstrous: Insects in Mythology, Literature and Media’, at the Department of Zoology. This symposium discussed the portrayal of insects in mythology, literature, and present-day media, with the objective of critiquing and debunking myths that underlie current misconceptions about insects and open new, productive lines of inquiry in insect science, media and literary studies. This event was generously supported by the Royal Entomological Society and the Cambridge University Student Union. 

This symposium showcased 20 incredible speakers from various disciplines, departments, organisations and countries. The keynote lecture was delivered by Dr Franziska Kohlt, a Leverhulme Research Fellow in the History of Science, University of Leeds. Her lecture guided us through how we can change the narrative in the way we talk and write about insects, to create a more positive perception of them among the general public. Besides the keynote, there were sessions on the following topics – Between Fear and Fantasy: Reimagining the Insect ‘Other’, From Vermin to Vision: Writing and Drawing Insects in Print, Illustration and Public Imagination, Learning with Literature: Children’s Books and the Ecological Imagination and Metamorphosing Mythologies: Global Histories of Spiders, Butterflies and Other Vermin. There was also a forum consisting of five flash talks and an incredible rare insect-book tour at the Zoology Library, conducted by librarian Jane Acred. Moreover, presenters from the Whipple Library brought two wonderful books with them, the Insectorium by Thomas Moffett and the Micrographia by Robert Hooke, which were on display during the event. 

The event was a major success, with almost 50 people attending the event in-person with another 30 people joining online. The organisers hope that this event and similar activities in the future will help in reimagining the way insects are portrayed in literature, media and art and pave the way for a more positive, informative and accurate influence of insects among academics and members of the public.