# Steampunked Insects Mike Libby Mixes Bugs & Machines in His Insect Lab (UPDATE) By Shelby Lee Walsh | Published 2009-09-18 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/steampunked-insects-mike-libby References: [digg](http://digg.com/d314hNY) & [insectlabstudio](http://www.insectlabstudio.com/) The late 1990s led to an increasing popularity in steampunk. The pseudo-Victorian mechanical genre has leaked its way into literature, art and now into insects. American sculptor Mike Libby has a studio named Insect Lab and in it he creates a plethora of [robots made from dried insects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiny-robot). The bugs he uses for his [steampunk insects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/steampunk-nautilus) are exotic, coming from places like Africa, China, New Guinea and Brazil. His mechanical components are just as rare because they are a collection of parts from [antique pocket watches and wristwatches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gen10). These steampunked creations are not for those who feared bedbugs at night as a child. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.4/10 - Popularity: 46% | Activity: 78% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [DIY](https://www.trendhunter.com/diy) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Steampunk Art:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the fusion of mechanical and organic elements in various art forms. - **Bioengineering:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Investigate the potential applications of utilizing insects as a medium for creating hybrid robotic structures. - **Antique Collectibles:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Consider the repurposing of antique pocket watches and wristwatches into unique mechanical creations. ### Where This Applies - **Art and Design:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the incorporation of steampunk aesthetics and themes into traditional and digital artworks. - **Entomology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Study the potential intersection between insect biology and robotics to develop new applications in fields like agriculture and medicine. - **Antiques and Collectibles:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the market potential of repurposing antique timepiece components for unique mechanical creations. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Insect-Inspired Bronze Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/insect-bronze-sculptures.md) - [Steampunk Aesthetic Espresso Makers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/steampunk-espresso-machine.md) - [Life-Sized Puzzled Insect Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/insect-collection.md) - [Steampunk Desktop Appliances](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3in1-desk.md) - [Insect Habitat Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bug-playground.md) - [Bug-Like Flying Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/micro-insect-robot.md) - [Futuristic Museum Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unnatural-history-museum-of-singapore.md) - [Bug-Inspired Jewelry](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/murder-hornet-ring.md) - [Satisfying Steampunk Clocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-oddly-satisfying-clock.md)