April 15: music and insects

As part of 60 years of Iona in 2026, we are organizing four events across the Netherlands. April 15 was the first meeting at the Biotoop in Haren.

‘Music & Insects’ at Biotoop Haren
art, science, and nature – direction: North

Entomologist Marcel Dicke (former professor at Wageningen University) took us through the versatility and quality of insects. “Insects are everywhere and essential for life on Earth. They pollinate flowers, play a key role in cycles, and some can drink our blood. They cause plagues, but can also be used as biological controllers in sustainable crop protection. 80 percent of birds eat insects, and for humans, they are also a great source of protein. In a food web, everyone eats each other or is eaten. Beautiful, isn’t it?” says Marcel.

The Iona Stichting chooses to highlight this theme because it is very concerned with the agricultural transition. How do we achieve nature-friendly agriculture, in which biodiversity and open-pollinated varieties have a permanent place? The Netherlands is struggling with the consequences of industrial agriculture and is urgently seeking alternatives. Be surprised by the smallest eyes in the field, those of the insects. What can they tell us about agriculture and the connection between humans and the earth?

The lecture was enriched with musical performances by The Linnaeus Trio.