This page contains the material submitted to the local paper - The Davis Enterprise - for Explorit Science Center's news column published in that paper on Fridays.

Article for: The Davis Enterprise
Date: April 1, 2005
Author: Sharon Navarro

WHAT'S THE BUZZ?

Hordes of swarming insects aren't usually considered a sight to behold. But people were clearly delighted by the myriad of butterflies that fluttered like golden snowflakes in the brilliant blue sky earlier this week

Millions of painted lady butterflies, considered beneficial insects, streamed northward in the largest butterfly migration in seven years, occasionally stopping to sip nectar from thistle or being snapped up by yellow-billed magpies. The painted lady is capable of flying thousands of miles and reaches altitudes of 17,000 feet when crossing the Himalayas.

"This type of northward movement happens every year; sometimes it can be
very small, but this year it was quite large. Most likely, there was plentiful food in Mexico, where they originated as caterpillars, and now they are migrating up towards Oregon. They have made quite a long journey!" said Danielle DuCharme, education and outreach coordinator at the Bohart Museum of Entomology at UC Davis.

Visitors to Explorit Science Center will have a chance to learn about the fascinating world of insects such as butterflies and ladybugs, giant silk moths and many other unique critters at "What's the Buzz?" a drop in workshop tomorrow from 1:00 - 4:30. The UC Davis Entomology club and the Bohart museum will be on hand with live insects and preserved specimens from all over California and the world.

The program is free with paid admission to the museum.

In addition to butterflies, many other insects are beneficial to humans. Bees pollinate orchards, gardens and crops and provide us with honey and wax, just as silkworms provide us with silk. Bee venom is even believed to help some arthritis sufferers feel better.

Families who visit Explorit will meet the Goliath beetle, aptly named because it is half a foot long and weighs about as much as two large eggs. Visitors can observe and learn about Madagascan giant hissing cockroaches, Indian and Australian walking sticks, and edible bugs.

Wait a minute - edible bugs?

"Insects that are commonly eaten are moths or beetle grubs, locusts, termites, and giant water bugs. [They] are usually served fried. Giant water bugs are considered a delicacy when the males are captured carrying the fertilized eggs from the female on his back! I have also seen ant eggs served as caviar, and dragonfly larvae in omelettes," DuCharme explained.

Are they as delicious as they sound?

"I have only eaten fried mealworms and crickets, and I think they taste okay--the former tasting a little nutty, and the latter a bit earthier, like mushrooms," she said.

Aside from thinking insects can't be snacks, what are some other "insect myths"?

"People think insects are gross, because they mainly only see the ones that are pests to them. They don't get a chance to see the array of magnificent insects that exist. That is one of the goals of the Bohart Museum in education and outreach; basically to expose children to insects they don't see everyday, and describe their value," DuCharme said.

In fact, of all the insects on earth, fewer than one percent are considered pests to humans. And, insects help scientists study diseases. With recent advances in gene technology, entomology is truly being revolutionized. 

DuCharme explains, "People are learning more about the mechanisms of disease transmission in mosquitoes, pheromone production and reception in moths and even more new species are being discovered. Also new advances in biological control are allowing us to better control insect pests, especially on crops. Insects are good study organisms because they offer many opportunities to look at unresolved questions."

Visitors to Saturday's program are sure to leave with a greater understanding of insects, and perhaps a few new recipes!

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Explorit Science Center is at 3141 5th St. in East Davis. The current exhibition "Act Naturally: You and Your Environment" runs through June 12. Public hours are Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.explorit.org or call Explorit at (530) 756-0191.