By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography
Bug Fest is Back!
As far as 200th birthdays go, Lorenzo Langstroth doesn’t usually spring to mind like, say, Charles Darwin does. But come August 14th and 15th, the Philadelphia native’s name will be rolling off the tongues of 10-year-olds as easily as T. rex. That’s because Langstroth’s beloved bees will be the center of attention at the Academy of Natural Sciences’ third annual Bug Fest. “It’s such a fun weekend to celebrate all things ‘buggy.’ And, it’s a great opportunity for the kids and the parents to connect with the experts and our Academy scientists. Its always fun to see a world expert at Bug Fest nose-to-nose with a young child having a great conversation,” enthused Barbara Ceiga, the Academy’s vice president for public operations.
“Bees” is the theme of this year’s popular festival, which also celebrates insects of all kinds—yes, even roaches. Langstroth (1810-1895), a clergyman and teacher dubbed the father of American beekeeping, revolutionized the beekeeping industry by determining the amount of space a bee needs to survive and then inventing the movable frame beehive. The Philadelphia Beekeepers Guild is raising funds to place a historical marker at his birthplace at 106 South Front St.
With colony collapse disorder and new uses of bees as biodetectives regularly in the news, the Academy will be buzzing with experts and activities during Bug Fest weekend. The festival is free with museum admission. Visitors can:
- Watch Steve “The Beeman” grow a beard of bees and describe how bees are important pollinators.
- Discover more than 50 species of live insects and their relatives, including stick insects, tarantulas and vinegaroons. Touch them if you dare!
- Cheer on a favorite roach in the Roach Race 500.
- Talk with Academy scientists and members of the American Entomological Society, whose headquarters is the Academy.
- See rarely seen displays of the Academy’s world-renowned entomology specimen collection.
- Sample exotic foods made with insects and prepared by Cajun chef Zack Lemann.
- Learn how to properly collect and pin insects.
The third annual Bug Fest at the Academy of Natural Sciences allows visitors to get up close and personal with a bunch of creepy crawlers!
Bug Fest 2010
Saturday and Sunday, August 14 and 15, 10 am – 5 pm
Free with general admission
Returning Favorites
Spineless Wonders
Examine live stick insects, tarantulas, vinegaroons, and more. Touch them if you dare.
Bug Walk
Go outside with an entomologist and collect wild insects.
Meet Real Entomologists
Talk with scientists from the Academy’s Entomology Department and members of the American Entomological Society.
Roach Race 500
Cheer your favorite roach on to victory and learn what makes roaches run.
Got Bugs?
Learn how to collect and pin insects during this hands-on demonstration; insects, pins, and scientific labels are provided.
Museum Insects
Examine specimens from the collections from the Academy’s Entomology Department and the American
Entomological Society.
Anthropomorphic Arthropods of Henry McCook
The Academy Library is showcasing this classic by Henry McCook (1837-1911). Come see insects like you’ve never seen them before, alongside a few antique bug-collecting tools of trade.
Bug Ball
Join the activities, games, and fun for all at the Bug Ball.
Ask the Entomologist Booth
Ask an entomologist that question that’s been bugging you.
Creepy Crawly Crafts
Make a bug pooter (a bug collecting tool that vacuums) and a bug box to take home.
For more information, log on to www.ansp.org/bugfest.
