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At the end of the 1950s, the Laan van Meerdervoort between the Muurbloemweg and the Kijkduinsestraat had to be widened. Due to an increase in car traffic, the stately single carriageway was no longer adequate. In addition, the neighbouring expansion districts of Waldeck and Loosduinen also caused extra traffic. The Waldeck expansion plan also considered the beautification of the public space. For example, a sculpture by the well-known Voorburg artist Aart van den IJssel ended up in the schoolyard of a municipal primary school on nearby Mozartlaan.

From red copper, Van den IJssel formed a pointy-looking 'Mechanical insect'. In some respects the sculpture is reminiscent of a machine, at other times it is more like an insect. The sculpture is characteristic of the work with which this artist became known. Fascinated by the beauty and cruelty of nature and by the art of prehistoric peoples, Van den IJssel made imaginative creatures, remarkable insects, armoured horses and prickly suns. More of his work can be found in public spaces in The Hague.

Before Van den IJssel executed his insect in large format, he made a scale model. This model, which was about a third of the size of the final sculpture, was purchased by the Gemeentemuseum in 1960.
The larger outdoor sculpture at the school had broken down over time. In 2011, the municipality had it restored by Theo Noordanus of the copper-working studio Zoppi. He had made sculptures in the past together with Aart van den IJssel. When the statue was restored to its full glory, it was given a new location at the head of the Laan van Meerdervoort at the Ockeburghsestraat.