Bugs, bugs and more bugs

Bugs may seem creepy, crawly, scary and in the case of mosquitos, extremely annoying, but they all serve a purpose in the ecosystem, according to Kim Hollier, Interpretive Ranger 3 at the Louisiana State Arboretum.
Hollier said, “It is important to show off all the animals people don’t usually like and why they are important. We need insects. Plus, it’s fun.”
A variety of insects will be on display at the Arboretum on July 16 for the 6th Annual Insect Day. Cost is $2 a person ages 4 to 61 to enter Chicot State Park, and entrance to the Arboretum, which is located inside the park, is free. The event is from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., rain or shine.
During the day, there will live and preserved insect specimens on display, and visitors will be able to get hands on with some of the insects. In the evening, there will be a night hike to observe insect activity at light stations.
Presentation tables will include:
Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium — The Insectarium will display live and preserved examples of insects from both Louisiana and exotic lands.
The Louisiana State Arthropod Museum at LSU — There will be preserved displays of both Louisiana and exotic insects, and staff members will cover insect collecting techniques.
Forensic Entomologist Erin Watson-Horzelski with SLU — Watson-Horzelski will feature her Maggot Monet, where participants can paint with maggots. She will also cover forensic entomology.
Primitive tool expert Andrew Barron — Barron will show flint knapping and primitive tools as well as an array of arrowheads, spear points, drills and other tools that he as created using ancient techniques. Barron will also demonstrate and discuss his work and show matchless methods for starting a fire.
Stacy Blomquist with the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station — Blomquist will lead craft activities including making newspaper seed pots. Visitors will also receive seeds to plant and learned about the importance of saving pollinators.
Steven Barney with The Beetle-Experience — Barney will show live examples of some of Louisiana’s beetles. He will also have Louisiana native tarantulas, scorpions, giant centipedes and giant walking sticks. Barney has bred beetles for more than 15 years. His work is featured in books, magazines and field guides, and he co-authored the book “The Complete Guide to Rearing the Rainbow Scarab and Other Dung Beetles.”
Linda Auld, The Bug Lady of New Orleans, with Barber Laboratories — Barber will display caterpillars, butterflies, cockroaches, lubber grasshoppers and other bugs. She has bred butterflies for several years, and she had lead the Monarch butterfly movement in Louisiana. Barber owns and operates Barber Laboratories.
These insect experts can also help to identify and discuss any insects.
Hollier said her favorite display is the Louisiana State Arthropod Museum’s exhibit.
“They know a lot of stuff about bugs,” she said. “Steve’s display is fun, too. You can handle live insects.”
Hollier continued, “Maggot Monet is fun, too. The kids like it. There is always a craft area for the kids.”
Hollier said Insect Day is one of the most busiest days of the year at the Arboretum.
“We get about 200 to 300 people at Insect Day each year, depending on the weather,” she said. “People come from all over the state, including from north Louisiana and Baton Rouge. We get visitors of every age and lots of families.
For more information call 888-677-6100 toll free or 337-363-6289 locally.