Slovenia’s Growing Fascination with Stick Insects and Cicadas

Since 2020 the Pajić family in Jesenice has built a collection of more than 70 stick‑insect species, ranging from tiny varieties to specimens over half a metre long. Their hobby expanded to include Vietnamese and sun‑loving stick insects, and they now belong to local clubs such as Čudežne zverinice and Bioexo.

In coastal and inland parts of Slovenia the cicada, locally called škržat, is a familiar summer sound. About 11 species occur in the country, with the large cicada Lyristes plebejus being the loudest, reaching 60 dB. Males produce the characteristic “saw‑like” song with specialized abdominal membranes. Cicadas spend several years as underground nymphs before emerging for a brief adult life of a few weeks, and they are celebrated as a cultural symbol of the Slovenian seaside.

Both insects are harmless, non‑biting, and have attracted growing public interest for their diversity, camouflage abilities, and the unique acoustic presence of cicadas during hot summer days.