Insects in Classical Music

The role of insects in classical music was investigated using online sources. The prevalence of insects in classical music was much greater than anticipated; 1018 cases of insect works and pieces were discovered. Many composers repeatedly used insects in their works. The most common groups of arthropods represented were Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, Orthoptera and Araneae. The vast majority of cases were published recently, rather than during the traditional age of classical music from 1750 to 1830. The greatest number of composers came from the USA, followed by France, England, Austria and Germany. A number of composers of insect pieces are ranked among the best known and most productive, though most insect-themed compositions are poorly known. The music itself often evoked insects via various effects, such as buzzing, droning, and tremolo. Many insect-themed compositions were inspired by literature featuring insects. Classical music is much like other genres of music, such as rock and folk, in that it uses the same groups of species for the same reasons—such as butterflies for aesthetic value and flies for revulsion.