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Orma J. Smith Museum set for 18th annual Bug Day

August 15, 2017
adult teaching children about bugs

On August 19th, the Orma J. Smith Museum of Natural History will team up with the Idaho Botanical Garden to give the public a chance to renew their “Certificate in Bugology” with Bug Day, their annual “entomological extravaganza” for the whole family.

“Seeing the people who attend Bug Day every year and watching them learn something new about insects is always something I enjoy the most year after year,” said Museum Director Bill Clark. “It is a great way to expose the public to the Museum as well as to insects.”

Now in its 18th year of bringing bug education to families throughout the Treasure Valley, Bug Day is an opportunity for both kids and adults to learn more about insects through a number of lessons and activities at the Idaho Botanical Garden. Clark said last year’s event brought around 1,700 people past the Museum’s booths, which will again feature some of the Museum’s collection of both local insects and more exotic insects from other parts of the globe.

Clark said curators from the Museum will be on hand to answer questions at the Museum’s booths about their collection of bugs, but beyond the Museum’s booths, there will also be booths from other groups within the valley, including Gemtek Pest Control, Idaho Angler and the Treasure Valley Beekeepers Club.

A number of activities will be presented at the event, including insect tattoos, bug races, creature crafts, the Insect Olympics, and the opportunity to catch livebugs for entomologists to identify on site. There will also be three scheduled releases of ladybugs at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

“Ladybugs, actually ladybird beetles, are a good example of beneficial insects,” Clark said. “They feed primarily on aphids, so they’re often used in pest control. This gives kids a chance to see insects as something helpful and positive.”

The event begins at 10 a.m. and runs through 3 p.m. this Saturday at the Idaho Botanical Garden, located at 2355 Old Penitentiary Road in Boise, Idaho. Admission for IBG members and children between the ages of 5-12 costs $4, while admission for non-members and children above the age of 12 costs $8. Various food trucks will be on site to sell pizza, ice cream, hot dogs and more.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate or in advance online.

The College of Idaho has a 125-year-old legacy of excellence. The C of I is known for its outstanding academic programs, winning athletics tradition and history of producing successful graduates, including seven Rhodes Scholars, three governors, four NFL players and countless business leaders and innovators. Its distinctive PEAK Curriculum challenges students to attain competency in the four knowledge peaks of humanities, natural sciences, social sciences and a professional field—empowering them to earn a major and three minors in four years. The College’s close-knit, residential campus is located in Caldwell, where its proximity both to Boise and to the world-class outdoor activities of southwest Idaho’s mountains and rivers offers unique opportunities for learning beyond the classroom.  For more information, visit www.collegeofidaho.edu.