Sanctuary Asia — January 2018

Sanctuary | Photofeature

Stag beetle Odontolabis sp.

With its fearsome pincer-like mandibles, this

prehistoric-looking insect is easyily mistaken for a

deadly carnivore. However, the adult stag beetle, like

this hundred-year-old specimen secured from the

forests of Rangoon, feeds on tree sap! Adults can

grow up to 9-10 cm. in length.

SPECIMEN FROM 1906,

RANGOON (NOW YANGON), MYANMAR

Sanctuary and the BNHS decided

to join strengths to rouse people’s

fascination, curiosity and sense of

wonder towards Nature and the

intelligent life it harbours.

What you see here are some

stunning insect specimens, which we

handpicked from the vast collection,

some of which date back all the

way to 1906! And understandably,

these specimens have weathered

the travails of time, wear and tear

over the years. While some have

managed to remain intact, thanks

to the BNHS’ eff orts towards

preservation, some have inevitably

either lost parts of their limbs or

have seen their wings withered and

faded. Embracing these beautiful

fl aws, we present to you, some of

the images from ‘INSECTDOM’.