Few artists would find inspiration from a stag beetle or a cockroach.

There are no chiseled marble grasshoppers passed down from antiquity.

But Italian sculptor Lorenzo Possenti sees an intrinsic beauty in insects that he wants to share with the world.

And for Lancastrians, that means going to the North Museum for "Bugs ... Outside the Box," a new exhibit opening today and continuing through May 13.

The exhibit features more than a dozen of Possenti's much larger than life-size sculptures of insects.

They are showcased with the museum's own real-life specimens, as well as information on camouflage, magnification and the importance of collecting and cataloguing insects.

"It gives people the opportunity to view insects the way you wouldn't normally be able to," says Amanda Eckinger, marketing and membership coordinator of the museum.

"You can see the intricacies without a microscope or magnifying glass. I think it will give people a chance to appreciate the beauty of the insects."

Beauty? You may ask.

Well yes. Have you ever seen a dogbane beetle? In the sunshine, this little guy's metallic green color shimmers with shades of blue and copper.

What about the exquisite design of a dragonfly wing? The fiery red color of a cicada's eyes? The branch-like simplicity of a stick bug?

Possenti, who also has a degree in natural sciences, sees the beauty in all insects. In fact, he sees them as so perfectly aesthetic as they are, that he never takes artistic license in his work.

His exhibit sculptures of beetles, butterflies, a grasshopper, a cicada, a stick insect and more, are all scientifically accurate.

It's just that the butterfly may have a five-foot wingspan.

"Kids will love it because most of these sculptures are about the size of a third-grader," says Eckinger.

"But adults will as well, because of the intricate detail the sculptor put into it."

The exhibit comes fresh from its premiere showcase at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. The North Museum is its second stop.

And it's one of the largest exhibits the museum has ever hosted, requiring the removal of walls and some displays.

The Natives of the Susquehanna exhibit as well as the Light and Sight Gallery (fluorescent room) were taken down to make way for the bugs.

But they'll be back.

"Things are going to be rotating more at the museum," Eckinger says. "We're making an effort to bring some new things to the table."

"Bugs ... Outside the Box" isn't the only exhibit at the North Museum paying homage to some of nature's littlest creatures.

The upstairs gallery will be hosting "Wicked Bugs," based on the book "Wicked Bugs: The Louse That Conquered Napoleon's Army & Other Diabolical Insects" by Amy Stewart.

The art in the gallery is created by the book artist, Briony Morrow-Cribbs, who uses a copper etching technique which, like the 3-D bugs downstairs, shows intricate detail.

The museum will be hosting author Amy Stewart at the Farm and Home Center on March 1. She'll tell you everything you ever wanted to know about those wicked bugs you love to hate.

In celebration of all things insect, the museum will also be holding an array of other special events throughout its bug run.

Among them are a "Bees and Honey Day" taking place Feb. 18, followed by a Wicked Bugs Weekend on March 17 and 18.

And beginning Friday, the museum will be open from 5 to 7 on First Friday with a "Five at Five" $5 admission.

The First Friday promotion runs through May.

"We hope people will stop at the museum before they head downtown," Eckinger says.

The exhibits fit in perfectly with the First Friday theme.

"I think one of the things you'll see with both of these exhibits is the inter-connectivity of art, science and nature," says Eckinger.

"We want to get people excited about science and nature. Maybe it will spark a curiosity about wanting to learn more about these creatures. And maybe they'll take it and run with it."

"Bugs...Outside the Box"

and "Wicked Bugs"

Exhibits open Friday

Continue through May 13

Special promotion: "Five at Five"

Feb.-May First Fridays

$5 admission from 5-7 p.m.

Reg. hours and admission

Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sun. noon-5 p.m.

$7.50 adults, $6.50 seniors

and children 3-12

(Planetarium $2.50 extra.)

North Museum

of Natural History & Science

400 College Ave. 291-3941
www.northmuseum.org