Insect Regulations

[Kenelm Philip]

> What about insects in a film? Do they  have rights? Does it make a
> difference if it is a pest like a hornworm or something nice like a
> butterfly?

	A hornworm is a Sphinx moth larva. Sphinx moths are as much
prized by both collectors and watchers as butterflies--so what difference
_should_ it make?

	I doubt if there are any rules governing the treatment of insects
in movie studios, in industry, or anywhere else. A few years ago I got
interested in the proposed language for a new animal cruelty ordinance
in Fairbanks, Alaska--language that would have been disastrous for anyone
studying insects--and checked with the local gov't as to the details of
this bill. As I had hoped, insects (and other so-called lower forms) were
excluded from the ordinance.

	Anyone who knows much about the way that insects interact with
each other, especially parasitic diptera and hymenoptera, stops worrying
much about humane treatment for insects. It would very difficult to do
anything nastier to most insects than what other insects do to them all
the time. And to do any research on the parasites you would have to supply
them with 'innocent' victims. Not doing so could be construed as cruelty
to the parasites--so you're damned if you do and damned if you don't...

	Let me turn the cat in the pan, and ask Sally a question: What
does she think we need in the way of rules for handling insects (if any),
and why? For myself, I would recommend habitat preservation in order
that species may flourish, and would not worry about individuals except
in a few cases involving endangered species.

							Ken Philip
fnkwp at uaf.edu