The Bug Chicks Rule!

Petting the cute little cockroach!

All eyes are on the hungry mantis on the pink tray.

A mantis we recently rescued from a suburban parking lot and brought home to our garden.

I recently took Jasper to a class given by The Bug Chicks, and it rocked!  The Bug Chicks are two superstar entomologists who have recently arrived in Portland, with a serious educational mission.  Both Kristie Reddick and Jessica Honaker are impressively knowledgeable, and Kristie has a marvelous ability to demonstrate the things insects do herself, which is hysterical. They put together a really wonderful presentation that completely fascinated Jasper.  They told the kids one fascinating fact after another  about insects, showing off some really wild preserved specimens.  And then they moved right on to sharing some amazing live creatures.  Kids got to see them up close and touch them.  Then they sent everyone on a bug hunt, admiring all the creepy crawlies they captured.  For the big finale, they brought out a praying mantis and let the kids watch it devour one of the captured crickets.  If you ever have a chance to see a mantis up close, they are really amazing little beasts.   They brought some bess beetles along, which we had never heard of.  They've added a video to their site about why bess beetles make great classroom pets, and coincidentally I found some available for sale here.  The Bug Chicks are available to give their presentations, and have also just launched new educational resources for teachers that are available on their website by subscription.  They are using bugs to teach science and reading, as well as other subjects such as social studies and math. How cool is that?  They are offering subscriptions to their online educational resources at a special rate through the end of October, so check it out!  

A bess beetle. 

Jasper was so excited when Jessica let him hold the bess beetle. 

Their hermit crab comes out to play.

I just can't resist closing with this trailer from a bizarre and wonderful movie we found at the library recently.  This movie, combined with our Bug Chicks experience, made us long to shop at Tokyo's wonderful beetle stores!

Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo Trailer from Myriapod Productions on Vimeo.
(www.beetlequeen.com)

"Working backwards through history, Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo explores the mysterious development of Japan’s age-old love affair with bugs. Using insects like an anthropologist’s toolkit, the film uncovers Japanese philosophies that will shift Westerners’ perspectives on nature, beauty, life, and even the seemingly mundane realities of their day-to-day routines."