Remember while driving our cars, how often we had to clean the windshields? Not any more in parts of Europe. Dieter Erhard (of ArtCenter Seadrift) is among those who have recognized the problem of disappearing insects, and are trying to do something about it.

Dieter is creating a huge bee. Its frame is stainless steel and it will hold about 1,500 fluorescent plexiglass pieces. At the facility of the Barmherzige Brueder in the town of Gremsdorf, people with disabilities will produce them. A public workshop, where visitors names will be engraved onto the plexiglass pieces will bring donations towards the purchase of insect hotels. With the funds earned, he plans to order at least 100 “insect hotels”.

So far 62 of such insect hotels have been ordered through Dieter, from friends or the local Rotary Clubs and their members. On December 8th, all sponsors and recipients will meet at the facility by the brotherhood of the Barmherzige in Gremsdorf. A introduction speech regarding the insects and bees will be held as well as all can visit the workshop at the site. Dieter’s then finished bee will be displayed there to round out the theme and event.

The city of Erlangen wants him and his bee to its sister city in Bozen, Tirol to also promote putting up insect hotels.

These hotels will attract up to 30 different species to breed and multiply.