Bugging out at Natural History Museum

Bugs make up about 5/6^th of all species on the planet, and not all of them want to invade your pantry. This weekend you can learn all about these magnificent creatures as L.A.  County’s Natural History Museum holds its 25^th annual Bug Fair.

Brent Karner, entomologist and head organizer, says the event may be the museum’s best attended of the year, with an anticipated weekend turnout of  more than 14,000 bug enthusiasts. It’s the largest bug event in North America, attracting scores of entomologists, educational groups, environmental groups, bug product purveyors and more—each with their own exhibition.

“The biggest draw of the event,” Karner says, “is the synergy between all those groups and what the museum itself has to offer.”

If you go to the Bug Fair, expect all sorts of bug-related madness. There will be a bug origami specialist, a cockroach race, tarantula feedings, bug performance art and live animal displays where you can hold the insects. Learn to pin bugs for your own collection and watch as bedbug-sniffing dogs show off their skills. The Natural History Museum is also home to an Insect Zoo and the popular Butterfly Pavilion.

New to the event this year is the Bug Chef “Cook-Off.” Four of the top insect chefs from across the country will take the stage to compete for culinary supremacy. Visitors will be chosen to judge the contest, and all are invited to sample the dishes (if you dare).

The Bug Fair is this Saturday and Sunday, May 14 and 15, during museum hours—9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Fair is free with the price of admission, although there is a small additional cost of up to $3 for admission to the Butterfly Pavilion. Visit the website for directions, and avoid the $8 parking fee by planning your trip with Metro.

Posted 5/12/11