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2009 INVERTEBRATES IN EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION CONFERENCE Paper Abstracts The 14-Year Effort to Establish the American Burying Beetle The American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus Olivier) is a federally listed endangered species once common throughout the eastern and mid-western United States and now surviving in limited habitats in seven states. From 1994-2007 an initiative to re-establish the beetle on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts has been carried out by a partnership of public and private conservation agencies. During the 14 year period, nearly 3,000 beetles were released at two sites on the 31,000 acre island. This paper will outline this 14 year effort and show how current post-release monitoring has confirmed that substantial numbers of beetles are reproducing and surviving over winter January 6, 2009 The Botany and Magic of Bee Forage A wide variety of flowering trees, shrubs and forbes provide the pollen and nectar the bees require to live and nourish their young. Some of these plants are easy to grow, commonplace, and sometimes dismissed as "weeds". Others are noble plants with a rich history of cultivation and folklore. Regardless, bee forage can be planted in almost any setting, from container gardens to yard, meadows, roadsides and pastures. The provision of appropriate bee forage is an essential element in the development of bee conservation programs. Husbandry of the Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia) and Restoration to the Indian Boundary Prairie Complex in Cook County, Illinois Regal fritillaries formerly ranged from southern Canada to North Carolina and west to Oklahoma. The species has declined precipitously, particularly east of the Mississippi River. Since 2006, we have been involved in an effort to repatriate the species to the Indian Boundary Prairies in southwest Cook County, where S. idalia was found up until the late 1970s. Site management has improved the habitat to the point that reintroduction can be considered. We have reared this species in the laboratory, released material at the Indian Boundary Prairies, and observed evidence of the establishment of a nascent population. Creating Refugia for the Three Forks springsnail (Pyrgulopsis trivialis) at The Phoenix Zoo. The Three Forks springsnail (Pyrgulopsis trivialis), is a very small (~1-2mm) aquatic snail found in only a few small springs in Arizona’s White Mountains. Due to pressures from multiple threats, the springsnail is a candidate for listing as Threatened or Endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The zoo currently houses ~ 300 snails at its Native Species Conservation Center. This paper will detail the collection of the snails and construction of two refugia, to be used for developing husbandry and breeding techniques in preparation for releasing snails back to the wild if the need arises. Dutch Elm Disease, Chestnut Blight ...And Laurel Wilt : Potential Effects of an Introduced Pathogen on Laurel-Feeding Swallowtail Populations Since its detection in 2002, Laurel Wilt has quickly spread across the southeastern US. As a result, populations of redbay have been decimated. Laurel wilt is caused by a fungus, and spread by an introduced ambrosia beetle. It is deadly to members of the laurel family. Little attention has been given to this disease, despite its major ecological implications. As laurel wilt spreads, laurel-feeding swallowtails have become exceedingly rare in infected areas. Here, we discuss the ecological impacts of laurel wilt, the potential conservation needs of laurel feeding swallowtails and roles the butterfly industry might play. Documenting Nantucket Island’s Spider Diversity Using Citizen Science In 2006, depending entirely on inexperienced volunteers, we initiated a survey of spiders on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. We collected as many species as possible using quantitatively comparable methods. We used the project as an educational opportunity for adults and children and harnessed their enthusiasm to collect specimens. Activities included rigorous collecting excursions, casual collecting events, spider “walks” aimed at children, live spider museum exhibits, and local media coverage for interesting finds. The outcome is a species list of the island’s spider fauna (250 species), permanent live spider exhibits in the museum, and an online electronic field guide to common species. What's in that flower for me? Planting with a purpose. Using butterflies as an attractor, this project engaged visitors in simple research to determine which of the plants in the butterfly exhibit are food-favorites of the butterflies. Two observation choices were available and visitors used stopwatches to time the feedings of the butterflies on specific flowers. Results showed that all plants in the exhibit were being fed from. The study revealed that visitors could be recruited to assist with research and most enjoyed the experience and made additional observations during their research time. Most visitor researchers were encouraged by the prospect of their results being used to improve the exhibit. The Invertebrates vs. the Vertebrates This study examines the hold times for different species in Outside In (the Academy’s children’s museum within the museum). Find out if invertebrates can hold visitor’s attention the same way that cute and cuddly vertebrates have been proven to do? And if different species of invertebrates impact visitors in different ways? Put the Tarantula Molt Down and Step Away from the Cart: Creative Solutions to Introducing New Ideas to Volunteers The Phoenix Zoo is similar to many other non-profit institutions in that a large volunteer corps is essential to ensuring our guests have access to unique exhibits, experiences and programming. As the Zoo moves forward in embracing the latest in education techniques, guest interaction and exhibit design; keeping those long term volunteers who’ve always done things “their certain way” engaged and happy with changes to their routine can be a challenge. This presentation will review methods used to keep our diverse group of volunteers on board with changes to their interpretive stations while still ensuring the Zoo’s plans and goals are met. To Charge Or Not To Charge What effects have the current challenging economic times had on visitors’ willingness to pay an additional charge for butterfly exhibits within institutions? This talk will discuss the findings from several butterfly exhibits to see if incorporating these charges into the general admission price is financially beneficial. Building a Bug Bus The Oklahoma State University Insect Adventure received many blessings throughout 2008. These include a formal new identity, a full-time professional position, and best of all, a big old Bluebird school bus. While past efforts of the OSU Insect Adventure outreach program have focused on facility renovation and revamping the collections and educational materials, this year’s focus will be on necessary improvements to the bus, tailoring the entomology presentation to fit the new style, and funding and marketing of this new feature of the program. This talk will discuss our new plans and will highly encourage input/ideas from the audience. “Creature Outreach" at Morningside College In early 2008, the Morningside College Biology and Chemistry Department launched a new outreach program known as “Creature Outreach”. One arm of the program takes live arthropods into public schools for hands-on education. This program is now a standard part of the 2nd grade curriculum in our local schools. This paper will describe the unique partnership, which has been forged between Morningside College and Sioux City Community Schools to provide a valuable learning experience for both college and grade-school students. The Art of Deception Using Camouflage, Mimicry, and Chemical Protection: Content for Education, Research and Beyond. Some of the most profound survival mechanisms displayed by animals involve the deceptive processes of camouflage and mimicry. As educators, scientists, and zoological specialists, we can use these topics to engage students and the general public into looking at nature in a more critical manner. Ultimately, this also will promote a better understanding of our natural world and the processes that govern how animals cope with the many competitive forces at work in our environment. This session will focus on providing a review of the many forces at work behind survival strategies used by insects and how a few of these may be used for teaching purposes. Additionally, a specific example outlining the dietary use of paw paws (Asimina triloba) as a means of chemical protection by the zebra swallowtail butterfly (Eurytides marcellus) will be explored. The Butterfly Farm´s Expanded Tour: On the Rise with the Butterfly In its 25th year celebration, The Butterfly Farm expands its service by integrating science, ecology, myth, art and the metaphor for human transformation in its two-hour guided tour. Visitors at the farm receive a hands-on experience with nature that draws on scientific knowledge of the butterfly along with mythology relating to the butterfly, and its biological correspondance to human psycho-spiritual transformation. The inclusion of all levels of meaning to the butterfly is greatly facilitating the farm's educational efforts towards environmental conservation. The on-going development of this experiment will be shared and discussed. "Problem" Species in Butterfly Exhibits Certain butterfly species, in our experience, seem to show consistent problems with faulty emergence, failure to emerge at all, or poor performance once released into the exhibit. Specific problems and specific species will be addressed, using photos and statistics from several years' worth of observations. Theories about the causes of some of these problems will be advanced, and there will be an opportunity for discussion and comparisons with the experiences of other institutions. Butterflies of India- Flowers with Wings Cincinnati Parks’ Krohn Conservatory is donning the exotic sights, sounds, fragrances and flavors of India this spring as it invites visitors to sample the vast nation’s culture, horticulture and, of course, butterflies. And, inspired by visitors’ suggestions following previous Butterfly Shows, we will have a new weekly program called Happy Hour with the Butterflies and a one-time event called Breakfast with the Butterflies. Highlights will include: Weekend performances of Indian music and dance Exhibits of Indian art, including one of rangoli, a sand-painting technique that will be applied to Krohn’s concrete front walkway A weekend tent market with vendors that will emulate an Indian marketplace; Interactive programs, such as sari and turban-wrapping lessons, and sculpting from clay small replicas of Ganesha, the elephant-like deity who is omni-present throughout India. Open for nine full weeks this year, Flowers with Wings is Krohn’s most ambitious Butterfly Show yet. Development of Quality Control Protocols for the Oregon Silverspot Butterfly , USA Captive rearing in zoos for the recovery of endangered insects has increased, however the quality of captive raised insects, or a comparison of the traits to wild individuals is rarely conducted. For this project, Oregon silverspot butterfly larvae (Speyeria zerene hippolyta) were raised in the laboratory. The larvae were observed during development and their development recorded including mortality in each larval instar and changes in color, shape, and smell of the larvae. This was done to determine if it is possible to use the quality control characteristics during captive rearing in order to develop tools, to assess quality pupae for future release. Costa Rican Butterfly Farmers: An Assessment As president of the International Butterfly Breeders Association I organized and managed a conference in Costa Rica. During that time I got to know many Costa Rican butterfly farmers and some of the issues that they face. The IBBA's mission is to represent and be a resource for all butterfly breeders, members of our association or not. In order to do so I determined that the first step would be an assessment to determine the status and needs of the farmers themselves. I worked with a behavioral scientist at the University of Florida to develop a survey form and a graduate student at the University of Costa Rica to assist in the assessment itself. We surveyed fifty different farmers. This paper will describe the assessment, our findings, and our suggestions for a follow up action plan. Lessons from the Butterfly Costa Rica is recognized for the preservation of its natural beauty and farsighted environmental policies, and ever more for its butterflies. The reason for this success is often given to its abolition of an army and negligent sources of material wealth. Grass roots ingenuity and humility became the capital for its success and the reason for the burgeoning butterfly farming network. Costa Rica´s unique characteristics of natural beauty, relative equality, humility, freedom and peace are also those attributed to the butterfly. This presentation draws on the shared meaning between Costa Rica and butterflies as signposts for what is increasingly missing in our world and the need to bridge our projects within this greater value system. A Colorful Display Utilizing Local Paper Wasps (Polistes spp.) at the Saint Louis Zoo Paper Wasps (Polistes spp) are a readily noticed and easily acquired local insect that have the ability of making dynamic displays. This paper will detail the life history of the insect as well as the various husbandry and exhibition techniques that have worked at sustaining a colorful display. Captive Husbandry and Display of Coleoptera at Woodland Park Zoo The beauty and diversity of Coleoptera make these a fascinating and awe-inspiring exhibit in any zoo. Woodland Park Zoo has successfully reared several species of Flower Beetle, Rhinoceros Beetle, and Darkling Beetle. This paper will give a survey of the biology, techniques for captive husbandry and methods of display for several of these species. The challenges of a multi-species display (such as determination of larval species and gender, stages of development, and weight ranges within instars) will also be discussed. Husbandry of the Derbyana Flower Beetle, Dicronorrhina derbyana (Coleoptera: Cetonildae) After several years,dozens of methods tried, and thousands of beetles, Saint Louis Zoo Insectarium Staff painstakingly collected biometrics on both larvae and adults to optimize suvival, size and collection numbers for this beautiful flower beetle. Details on what worked, what didn't and our methods for measuring success will be discussed. Exhibit options and techniques will also be explored. Biology, Care and Display of the Big-Headed Ant Pheidole Rhea: A Harvesting Ant With Supermajor Workers for Seed Milling. Pheidole rhea is native to the scrub deserts of southern Arizona and adjacent Mexico. Like most Pheidole species it has minor and major worker subcastes, but is atypical for also having supermajors with bizarrely large heads adapted for breaking apart hard seed coats. Colonies readily thrive in captivity, and worker populations become large and are extremely active. This ant is highly effective for public display within an interconnected observation nest and foraging arena. The Identification and Treatment of Common Parasites Found in Educational Cockroach Colonies In conjunction with the museum’s veterinarian, The Academy of Natural Sciences identified the common parasites found in our collection, developed protocols for treating parasites and studied the effects of the treatment on the health and life span of the colony. Keeping Bugs Alive - in Australia! Melbourne Museum is at the forefront of invertebrate husbandry within Australia. Our success stems from a dedicated team keen to push the boundaries of invertebrate keeping. Ecological, husbandry and display knowledge has been acquired, including the opening and operation of the Bugs Alive! exhibition. We have collected and developed guidelines for many new species of Australian invertebrates. We thought it time to publish these experiences and have developed 'Bugs Alive: a guide to keeping Australian invertebrates' which has proved highly popular to educators and families. For the first time in Australia, a collation of invertebrate keeping knowledge is now readily accessible. Arthropod Myths and Urban Legends Arthropods are the common subjects of urban legends, myths, and just general misinformation. From deadly spiders under airplane toilet seats and insects that crawl in your brains and eat your ears, to mate-eating females and deadly daddy-long-legs, popular culture includes dozens of false stories and exaggerations where arthropods are presented as the bad guys. A few of the more amusing examples of arthropod “myth-information” will be presented, along with some reliable resources for tracking down the real truth. From the Muscipula and Bat Fowlers to Nets. The Evolution of the Butterfly Net as Standard Equipment and the Emergence of a Symbol. As interest in natural history developed during the 18th and 19th centuries, hobbyists and scientists developed equipment for capturing butterflies and other fast-flying insects. A series of net designs has evolved into current butterfly nets. Net-wielding entomologists have generated both curiosity and amusement, giving rise to a number of graphic representations in popular art and design. Get Buggy About Blogging! In April of 2008, the Houston Museum of Natural Science launched its science blog titled "Beyond Bones." Staff members from each department in the museum have a chance to blog about their field, allowing hundreds of different topics to be discussed. I, along with the rest of the butterfly center staff saw it as a wonderful opportunity to share all of the exciting things that happen here, as well as information about plants and insects in general. We hope that through the success of our blog, we can inspire others to share their knowledge and enthusiasm in a similar way. Spiders: Biology, Identification And Human Envenomation Suspected spider bites pose challenges for the public, consulting entomologists and medical personnel. The public suffers from misinformation and hysteria. Entomologists are called to educate the public, quell anxiety and provide a correct identification for the purported envenomating spider. Medical personnel must distinguish true bites from myriad similar entities and provide evidence-based treatment. In this seminar we will discuss basic spider biology, the identification of common spiders emphasizing North American spiders of medical importance, the biology of envenomation, and the diagnosis and treatment of bites. This is a reasonably academic program for all interested attendees. Husbandry of Sonoran Desert Arthropods: Take III Participants will learn the basics of setting up enclosures and terrariums for the local arthropods frequently seen and collected at the conference. This workshop is designed for beginners, and is appropriate for educators or keepers. Participants are encouraged to bring animals they have collected, and we will have the opportunity to create enclosures appropriate for some animals. Various substrates and natural props will be provided. Insect Adaptations: From Paper to Hands-On Educator tricks and tips for presenting insects and other invertebrates to children of all ages will be demonstrated. From antennae to pollination to anatomy, learn what we use, and share a few tips of your own. Theraphosid breeding and artificial egg incubation This workshop is designed for keepers and educators and will discuss some basic aspects of tarantula breeding as well as eggsac removal and artificial incubation techniques. The ability to identify mature specimens and properly identify the best time to introduce breeding pairs will drastically increase mating success and minimize cannibalism. The manual removal and incubation of the resulting eggsac will increase the likelihood of successfully rearing the maximum number of spiderlings. The workshop will teach keepers how to construct an artificial incubator and teach the proper method of eggsac removal via demonstration. Arthropod Husbandry for a New and Delicious Horizon! Entomophagy is slowly gaining in acceptance, and there are numerous indicators that the demand for edible insect products surpasses current supply. Although crickets, mealworms, and others are available through commercial insect farms, much more can be done. Several candidate species possess the desirable attributes. The workshop will include an overview of the entomological, cultural, environmental, nutritional, culinary, and safety aspects of entomophagy; a cooking demonstration and tasting; a slide show; and the intersection of arthropod rearing, food supply, and educational outreach. Everyone at the conference has the power to contribute. 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