The city of Antwerp in Belgium has just inaugurated an ‘insect hotel’ at the Ruggeveld cemetery in the Deurne district. This is truly a five-star hotel for bees and butterflies.
This special hotel provides shelter for all types of insects including bees, beetles, dung beetles, and butterflies. (Source: Belgium Posts)
Insects thrive in the floral and green spaces of the cemetery and its surroundings. (Source: Belgium Posts)
With a length of 11 meters, this is the largest project of its kind in the country. This special hotel accommodates all kinds of insects such as bees, beetles, dung beetles, and butterflies.
Here, insects live among the flowers and greenery of the cemetery and the surrounding environment.
This project is supported by the city of Antwerp and managed by the Flanders Nature Protection Association (Natuurpunt), which is responsible for the decoration work.
Speaking at the inauguration, Ms. Els Van Doesburg, Deputy Mayor of Antwerp in charge of Green Spaces and Animal Welfare, emphasized that this is indeed a five-star hotel for insects, featuring compartments made of bamboo, bark, and pine cones, catering to the preferences of different species. Therefore, this will be a favorite shelter for various insects.
This is not the only initiative to protect essential insect species in the ecosystem within the Deurne district. In the cemetery, grass is only cut twice a year. According to Mr. Tjerk Sekeris, the District Mayor of Deurne, this allows many insect species to thrive in the grass and ensures the pollination of flowers and plants.
