Frogs, praying mantises and scorpions: an exhibition of predators

“Predators of the Microcosm”, the exhibition dedicated to the marvels of Nature, is coming to Varese. The highlight of the exhibition is a collection of live animals, in 14 terrariums that recreate their natural habitats, and a series of photo accounts, which provide ample visual support, to enable visitors to admire and understand the characteristics of these animals better.

The exhibition, which has been organised by Insubria University and by Varese town council, is at the City Museum of Villa Mirabello, from 18 October 2014 until 25 January 2015, and includes free learning activities for secondary and lower secondary schools, run by the undergraduate degree courses of Environmental Sciences, and Communication Sciences, of Insubria University. This marks a collaboration between the science and arts worlds, formed to give students the opportunity to put themselves to the test, as they accompany young visitors on a discovery of the world of adaptation and survival strategies of some unusual animals.

As a side event to the exhibition, a series of eleven educational conferences by lecturers of the university have been scheduled, from October to January. These will focus attention on the importance of biodiversity and of the conservation of ecosystems.

“The stars of the exhibition will be an army of unusual animals, fiercely engaged in the fight for survival. Natural environments present continual challenges for the creatures that live there: finding food, avoiding predators, finding a partner and procreating. In nature, some species have developed surprising and unusual attack, defence and reproductive strategies in spite of their small size. “Predators of the Microcosm” looks at all of these, and seeks to show details of the lives of these animals, to arouse the attention of the young people, by encouraging them personally to discover nature, and instilling an idea of habitat conservation, so that they understand it better,” said Adriano Martinoli, a zoologist at Insubria University.

The Councillor for Culture in Varese, Simone Longhini spoke about how successful the exhibition had been in the previous months, in Genoa, and thanked the Varese University for the commitment it has always shown in trying to enrich the Garden City.

The Chancellor of the University, Alberto Coen Porisini, also emphasised the importance of collaboration between institutions in the area. “I think this is very important, because it’s a sign that the town wants to grow and to do so together. The council’s involvement is also a way of demonstrating the value of the cooperation between the University and the town. It’s an opportunity for students to gain experience and for the people of the town to be involved.”

Opening times of the exhibition:

from Tuesday to Sunday: from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The exhibition will be closed on Mondays, and on 1 November, 25 December and 1 January. It will also be closed in the afternoons of 24 and 31 December.

Entrance ticket

Full price, €4; reduced rate, €2, for people aged 25 and under, for groups (of at least 10 people), for soldiers and ACTL, TCI, FAI, Federalberghi, Family Card, Varese Corsi cardholders; schools, €1. Entrance will be free for disabled people, their helpers, children aged 6 and under, teachers accompanying schoolchildren and visitors over the age of 65.

For all classes of any type and level, it is necessary to book, by telephoning 0332/421448, or emailing to mostramicrocosmo@insubria.it.

For further information

www.uninsubria.it/microcosmo – www.varesecultura.it