Carpathian Longhorn Beetle (Morimus funereus)

This sculptural work was created as part of the Research Insects and Found Objects assignment, which examines the delicate existence of endangered and extinct insects across continents. The featured piece represents the Carpathian Longhorn Beetle (Morimus funereus), a species native to Europe that is increasingly threatened by deforestation and habitat fragmentation.

Constructed from stained glass, wire, wooden beads, clay, and floral tape, the sculpture recreates the beetle’s distinctively textured body and dramatically extended antennae. Its display on a reclaimed piece of driftwood, carved with a bore hole, evokes the beetle’s natural reliance on old-growth forests—ecosystems now vanishing due to human development.

The use of repurposed, pliable materials is deliberate: it juxtaposes the strength and resilience of the insect’s form with the fragility of its real-world survival. The interplay of detailed craftsmanship and recycled elements invites viewers to consider the environmental pressures that threaten biodiversity, while also honoring the beauty and intricacy of species often overlooked.

Through this work, I aim to raise awareness of how intimately connected these insects are to their environments, and how the loss of one can echo through entire ecosystems.