Insects & Us

Insects & Us invites you to explore a virtual, animated environment and engage with the interwoven stories of its inhabitants. Insects serve as food for other animals, pollinate our crops, act as natural pest control agents and play a crucial part in turning dead organic matter into fertile soil. The numbers and diversity of insects have been in sharp decline though over the last few decades. If the trend continues it will dramatically affect human welfare. Watch crickets, dragonflies, butterflies, beetles, and ants make their simple, yet vital contributions for a functioning ecosystem - whilst listening to four scientists talk about why they matter and what can be done to help. Start exploring by scanning a well-lit, textured surface (like a table or a floor) with your smartphone or tablet. 'Tap and Hold' to place the virtual ecosystem on that surface. Once the Insects & Us story-world appears, select (‘Tap and Hold') one of five sparkling insects to start a story. Featured Scientists: Dr. Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson, PhD, Dr. Jessica Ware, PhD, Dr. Andreas Segerer and Peter Smithers. Insects & Us was designed and directed by Kris Hofmann and produced by Animate Projects. All 3D content was created and animated by R5 Region Five Media GmbH. Code by WAMMS, sound and music by Marian Mentrup. The project was funded by the AWS Austrian Wirtschaftsservice and the FFF FilmFernsehFonds Bayern.