Wasps & bees, beetles & ants: Insect cafés in Bengaluru hope to attract ’em all

Almost 99 per cent of the educated people know nothing of the complex and interdependent world of insects. In their ignorance, they only regard them as pests, said entomologist G K Ramegowda.

“But they are really, really important for the natural balance of our world. Yes, even the pesky house fly that 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 College of Horticulture, Yalachalli Horticulture Farm in Mysuru. This is a constituent college under University of Horticultural Sciences, headquartered in Bagalkot and spread over 22 districts.

About six months ago, 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, but also known as insect hotels or motels, globally.