Inspector bursts into print
There’s been a murder in the Catlins. A moth is dead.
Who has killed myrtle the moth? Inspector Insector is on the case.
He is an insect detective and the alter ego of Gordon Thompson, the Catlins equivalent of the Bugman.
Thompson created the creepy crawly character of bug whodunnits to teach children and the public about the threats to the world’s insects.
Thompson is about to publish his first book about the inspector, who has become a centrepiece of the Earthlore Insect Theme Park that he and wife Janine own and run near Owaka in south Otago.
It tells the story of Charlie Bizzo, and how the detective came to head a Special Insect Squad appointed by the most queenly of bees, the Queen Bee, who has given him the mission of trying to stop the destructive ‘‘Stompers’’, in other words humans, from decimating the insect population.
Upon accepting the assignment Charlie wakes to find himself having mysteriously sprouted antennae.
Could he be turning into an insect? he asks himself.
Who better than an insect to find out what causes the deaths of other insects.
Of course the insect equivalent of the internet, the insectornet network is abuzz with the news of Charlie’s transformation.
The idea is that children participate in lining up the suspects and helping Inspector Insector solve crimes.
It is a quirky and fun teaching resource, but has a serious message.
‘‘It’s a good way to impart knowledge,’’ Thompson said.
‘‘Without insects people would have no food.’’
Although the Thompsons are strict vegetarians, they admit that insects are a good source of protein.
They count red and yellow admiral butterflies among the missing or rarely seen, and they are trying to bring back the tussock ringlet butterfly.
The book’s release in the near future coincides with the expansion of Earthlore as one of the Catlins’ more unusual tourist attractions. The Thompsons have created an insect habitat and are developing the gardens to enhance the conservation experience.
They planted it to bring in the insects and birds, and now they want people to enjoy the gardens themselves.
They will also be providing a tour bus from Balclutha to visit the garden in the summer season starting in November.
‘‘There’s not much in the Catlins in the way of things to do,’’ Thompson said.
‘‘We’ve been relying on just brochure and signage. If we were on the main scenic route it would be a different story, but this way people can come to us.’’