Big Aluminum Bugs

A local farmer welded giant cast-aluminum insects — including a towering praying mantis — from recycled hog feeders and farm scrap, then planted them on his front lawn with a deadpan placard claiming the three were "trapped and preserved" from a 1913 alien insect invasion of Jasper County. They're visible roadside on private property northwest of Newton, a deeply absurd and delightful piece of rural outsider art.

The move: Drive out on IA-14 and pull over to gawk and photograph the oversized aluminum insects from the road — bring a picnic and linger, then loop back into Newton for a stop at the Iowa Speedway or a slice at a local diner, making a half-day "weird Iowa" road trip loop out of it.

• 📍 Newton
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: 1705 N 23rd Ave W, Newton, IA 50208

Hours: Mined 2026-06-07 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3

Verified 2026-06-07.