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Departments | Conservation | In the News | 'Kids Love Bugs' - Insect zoo drives 'em buggy at Lime Creek - August 21, 2007

'Kids Love Bugs'

Insect zoo drives 'em buggy at Lime Creek

Article written by Laura Andrews and used with permission from the Globe Gazette, published on Tuesday, August 21, 2007.

 

MASON CITY - Creepy, crawly insects crawled over tables at the Lime Creek Nature Center Monday evening.

 

The insects were part of Iowa State University Entomology Department's Insect Zoo.

 

"Kids love bugs," said Todd VonEhwegen, natural resource manager of environmental education at the nature center. "We're really impressed with the hands-on part of the presentation."

 

Kids and the adults accompanying them were able to look at and hold the bugs.

 

ISU's Tonya Ward, who was giving the presentation, assured them none of the insects would bite, sting or try to harm them.

 

"I like how it looks and feels," said 5-year-old Kathryn Leighty, Mason City, about the tomato hornworm. "It feels soft."

 

Her friend, Erika Sloan, 5, Mason City, wasn't too sure about the insect.

 

"It won't hurt you," Kathryn assured her.

 

The kids and adults learned the hornworm was in the larva stage, would eventually enter the pupae stage and then become an adult. They were able to see each stage.

 

"It's moving inside!" said Michael Orth, 10, Fairchild, Wis., when he looked at the pupae. "We can see the wings, the tongue and the eyes."

 

Other insects they learned about were worms, beetles and Madagascar hissing cockroaches.

 

"They don't seem too bad," said Kathryn's mother, Maureen Leighty, about the cockroaches. "They're kind of cute in a weird way."

 

Erika disagreed.

 

"I'm happy with the fish (I have at home)," she said.

 

Erikia's mother, Krys Sloan, thought they kind of looked like lobsters. Kathryn quickly responded: "They don't look like lobsters; lobsters have pinchers."

 

Also part of the presentation were millipedes, a scorpion, tarantula and centipede. Those attending learned these creatures aren't insects because they don't have the insect traits of six legs, two antenna and three body parts.

 

"My favorite was the millipede because his legs felt cool and he was a little millipede ring," said Emily Orth, 8, Fairchild, Wis.

 

The kids also learned that millipedes aren't poisonous like centipedes. No one was allowed to touch the centipede, tarantula or scorpion because they are poisonous.

 

About 35 kids and adults attended the presentation.

 

 

Cerro Gordo County Conservation Office