Insect-O-Rama brings bug lore and butterfly beauty to St. Joseph

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News from the region
Northwest
Published Date
09/05/2013
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St. Joseph, Mo. – Some insects are beautiful while others can be pesky. A few are even tasty, according to chefs who use them in recipes. Insect-O-Rama will celebrate insects and provide tips on enjoying some and avoiding others from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Northwest Regional Office, 701 James McCarthy Drive in St. Joseph.

Edible bug expert Paul Landkamer will demonstrate how to serve up yummy insect fare for the table. He’ll share recipes for critters like grasshoppers and crickets.

Farmers and gardeners know insects are invaluable allies in providing foods more commonly found in your neighborhood grocery store, from honey to almonds and apples. Bees and butterflies are among the many types of insects that pollinate crops.

Butterflies and moths add beauty to the natural world and their life histories are fascinating. Visitors will find stations set up with butterflies and moths in various stages of development.

All activities are free and fun for all ages. MDC’s regional office is on the Missouri Western State University campus. Visitors can dip a net into a pond to capture aquatic insects. The university’s biology department will offer visitors a laboratory tour and let visitors observe microscopic insects through microscopes. Tiny insects are critically important at the base of nature’s food chain.

Experts will also be on hand to talk about pests such as mosquitoes and ticks and how to avoid problems.

For more information, call 816-271-3100. Information about conservation and critters in Missouri is available at www.mdc.mo.gov.