Imagined Beetles
Anna Joyce
Artwork part of ‘Insects’ (Issue 19)
Science
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is native to parts of China and Vietnam, and arrived in the United States in 2014, where it is considered an invasive species. The insect causes considerable damage to grapes, soybeans, trees, and other plants. In its native environment, the population is controlled by parasitic wasps. The population has spread across the Northeastern United States, prompting state governments to institute a variety of pest control methods. Where I live in Pennsylvania, posters hang in public spaces imploring people to “Stop the Invader” and kill the bug on sight.
https://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/invasive-species/meet-the-species/invasive-insects/spotted-lanternfly/
Method
The beetles were created using acrylic paint on stone and finished with clear lacquer.
Bio
Anna Joyce (she/her) is an academic at Regent’s University London, and an insomnia therapist. Her research focuses on the importance of sleep for cognition and mental health. Outside of work she enjoys poetry, playing piano, and yoga. She lives in South London with her husband, two children, and a little black cat. You can find her on Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn @DrAnnaJoyce and her website www.annajoyce.co.uk
Copyright statement. This work is published under the CC BY-NC-SA license