✧*˚ About Nymph Dust *˚✧

Last year I felt a bit stuck, so I sought a creative path that utilized my studies and fulfilled my curiosities. Nymph Dust was born as DIY x-mas present idea, and has grown into a budding passion. ⟡ Every specimen I handle leaves me awestruck, and I love to see peoples' faces light up with wonder, just like mine did, the first time I revealed each specimen from its pinning. 

Sadly enough, insects are one of the most hated animal groups on the planet despite their immense ecological significance. In some areas, particular insect populations have decreased by 98% (click to read more).

Ideally, Nymph Dust would be a gateway to appreciation for those who aren't entomo-savvy. I plan to include information cards with each species to highlight facts about ecological significance, area of origin, morphology, etc.

All of our specimens come from a single supplier that sources from aviaries around the world. Female insects are brought in from the wild to lay their eggs inside of a protected habitat, and then are released. Some of those eggs end up being the specimens you see here, and some are released back into the wild to help increase indigenous populations. If these eggs were laid in the wild, only a small fraction would survive, versus nearly a 100% survival rate within the aviary.

To see the process of entomological pinning, which I follow for each of my creations, watch this video!



 
✧*˚ creator *˚✧



Name ⟡ Rachel

Location ⟡ baltimore, maryland, USA

Degree ⟡ (1) evolutionary/ecological/conservation biology (2) psychology

Traveled to ⟡ bali, berlin, denver, dublin, edinburgh, frankfurt, hawaii, heidelberg, isle of skye, key west, lake tahoe, london, los angeles, manila, miami, munich, naples, nyc, philadelphia, pittsburgh, portland, reykjavik, rocky mountain national park, salem, san diego, san fransisco, seattle, seoul, tagaytay

Favorite travel experiences  Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon (IS), Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon (IS), road to Gana (HI), ring of Kerry (IE), snorkeling with sea turtles at Shark's Cove (HI), boat tour of the Napali coast (HI), meeting SZA during a picnic in LA

Music ⟡ Caroline Polachek, LCD Soundsystem, IDLES, Kurt Vile, Chappell Roan, MUNA, Samia, Parquet Courts

Food ⟡ Thai cuisine is my absolute fav!

Drink of choice ⟡ Espresso or pickle martini :-)

~

Thank you so much for reading