Insects and Old Wristwatches Make Beautiful Art Together

No bugs about it! Mike Libby is an artist that creates works of art using insects and antique watch parts.

This all started one day when he found a dead beetle. He got to thinking about how the beetle looked like a mechanical device, so he found an old wristwatch and set out to combine the two. He dissected the beetle and fit it with watch parts, soon creating a sculpture. He continues to explore and experiment with his works of art.

As for where he gets the insects, they usually come from dealers that have high quality specimens from all over the world. He also welcomes people to send in their own insects to be used in a piece.

He charges anywhere from $250 for a bumblebee to $1000 for a grasshopper. He also makes custom pieces, so if you don't see anything you'd like, you just have to ask and he will see what he can do.

Now if only he can get these robotic-like insects to come alive again. New movie idea coming to me....Invasion of the Timex Wasps?

1. Beetles

Buprestidae: Euchroma Gigantea

Jewel Beetle with brass gears and parts.

Dynastidae: Eupatorus Gracilicornis

Rhino beetle with brass gears and parts.

Cetonidae: Fornasinius Russus

Flower Beetle with brass gears and parts.

2. Arachnids

Arachnidae: Nephila Maculata

Spider with brass gears and parts.

Arachnidae: Heterometrus Spinifer

Scorpion with steel and brass gears, parts, springs and faux red gem.

Arachnidae

Tarantula with brass and steel gears and parts.

3. Butterflies

Papilionidae: Papilio Ulysses Ulysses

Butterfly with steel gears, parts and spring.

Papilionidae: Papilio Palinurus Daedalus

Steel gears and parts, tension springs, second hand dial.

Papilionidae: Papilio Dardanus Dardanus

Butterfly with steel gears, parts and spring.

4. Dragonflies

Odanata: Dragonfly

Swamp darner with steel gears and parts.

Odonata:Anax Junius

Dragonfly with brass and steel gears and parts.

Odonata: Dragonfly

Dragonfly with brass and steel gears and parts.

5. Bees & Wasps

Bumblebee

Brass gears and parts, tension spring, second hand dial.

Bumblebee

Brass gears and parts, tension spring, second hand dial.

6. Grasshoppers and Praying Mantis

Orthoptera: Name Unkown

Grasshopper with brass and steel gears, parts and springs.

Orthoptera: Name Unknown

Grasshopper with steel, copper, brass gears, parts and springs.

Mantidae

Praying Mantis with brass and copper gears, parts and springs.

Many thanks to Mike Libby.