Helping the young appreciate the value of bugs

A BugFest 2000 attendee confronts an eight-legged creature

May 20, 2000
Web posted at: 10:45 p.m. EDT (0245 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Combine a taste for the unusual ("This is a cup of crickets") with a pinch of vaudeville ("Children of all ages ... it's time for cockroach races! Yeah!") and you have the recipe for what has become a gargantuan success.

The Smithsonian Institution's BugFest 2000, the third time the event has been held, took place in Washington, D.C, on Saturday. "Look at this one right here. It's like a tie-dye," said one young observer.

The Museum of Natural History teaches bug appreciation -- instead of elimination -- by trotting out a fraction of its vast collection and displaying it in the Mall in front of the museum.

"This looks like a tomato caterpillar."

"That's what it is, yes."

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CNN's Kathleen Koch joins the Smithsonian Institution for its annual BugFest. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K

"These are really sticky. Yep, they're really sticky."

Up close and personal with spiders and other insects

Comments such as these abound among the wide-eyed young audience as they view -- and sometimes handle -- the exhibits.

The event gave children the chance to talk to experts about the insects, find out about the insects' environments, behavior and whether they are considered beneficial or harmful.

Visitors got up close and personal with spiders and other creatures -- or viewed them from a respectful distance.

A cockroach race is under way

They placed their bets and watched them run in "The Great BugFest Cockroach Race." They drew them, painted them, listened to tales of bugs, bugs and more bugs.

They also ate them, although some visitors were reluctant to make a meal of their new six-legged friends.

Perhaps the toughest job at the event fell to the spider PR people. Experts say spiders actually pose less risk than the poisons that are used to kill them.

"The only way for them to bite is if you squish them," said spider specialist Renner Baptista. "I would bite you also, if you squished me!"

Organizers have found that this event really does open young minds and changes their perceptions.

Entomologist Dr. Art Evans said, "The excitement just begins ... 'What is it? Where does it live? Will it hurt me? What does it eat?'

"It just opens up a whole series of questions."

Correspondent Kathleen Koch contributed to this report.

Kids get antsy at BugFest '97
June 7, 1997

National Museum of Natural History - Smithsonian Institution

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