Bugfest 2014!

[Rick]

It's about that time again! If you're in the SE U.S. September 20th I highly suggest coming to this event that takes place at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. All things arthropod! As many of you know since 2007 I have hosted a mantis booth during this event. Even after 7 years it is still the only booth dedicated to mantids. Last year there were over 35,000 unique visitors to Bugfest.

As always I am looking for advice, suggestions, and input on how I can improve my display. If you were coming what would you like to see at a mantis booth? Currently I have preserved mantids and ooths, books, magazines, posters, live mantids, etc. I really need your help on suggesting other items to bring.

Below are links to the last two years with pictures. I have a pretty good spread, but I tried to improve it every year. Unfortunately (and I find ridiculous) I am not permitted to bring live non-native mantids to this event. Therefore, I am looking for any US mantids members here would like to donate. I can send them back if needed. I have the more common ones covered but really need ground mantids, FL barks, etc. I would also be interested in purchasing some mantids for this event.

http://mantidforum.n...topic=27039&hl=

http://mantidforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=30968&hl=

Check out the link below for details on Bugfest. They don't have this years locations for booths yet but it will be coming.

http://www.bugfest.org/

 

[dmina]

Whoo hoo... So excited..Road trip!

 

[Rick]

Whoo hoo... So excited..Road trip!

You wouldn't be the first!

 

[Chelsea]

Cool, I will check it out if I am still in NC in late Sep. Would they let you bring Chinese mantids (live)? Also just curious, where do you work Rick? You remind me of another Rick who works at a different NC museum.

 

[Rick]

Cool, I will check it out if I am still in NC in late Sep. Would they let you bring Chinese mantids (live)? Also just curious, where do you work Rick? You remind me of another Rick who works at a different NC museum.

Yes. I bring live U.S. mantids. They just won't allow anything exotic.

I don't actually work at the museum.

 

[soundspawn]

Yes. I bring live U.S. mantids. They just won't allow anything exotic.

Bring some diabolicas and say "It's okay, my friend releases these in to the wild all the time so they aren't 'exotic' anymore. What is ecosystem?"

 

[dmina]

Someones trying to start trouble!

 

[Rick]

Still looking for U.S. mantids. Really in need of G. grisea at any instar. One individual is all I would need and will gladly pay for it. If needed I can ship mantids back. Also need ground mantids. Thanks.

 

[Rick]

I need somebody to help at the booth in the afternoon if anybody here is interested. My regular person has to leave early. If you're in the area or visiting that day and want to help let me know. The museum offers volunteers but usually they don't have any mantis knowledge.

 

[soundspawn]

Hey Rick I seem to remember you asking for shots of the parasitic wasp? Well lucky you, someone sent me a bunch of oothecae and at least one was infected... so I can take some pictures so long as you are more interested in the babies coming out and running amok.

 

[Rick]

Hey Rick I seem to remember you asking for shots of the parasitic wasp? Well lucky you, someone sent me a bunch of oothecae and at least one was infected... so I can take some pictures so long as you are more interested in the babies coming out and running amok.

I should have it covered by now. I would be interested in the hatched ooth with the wasp holes.

 

[soundspawn]

I would be interested in the hatched ooth with the wasp holes.

Sure thing

 

[Rick]

About that time!

 

[mantiseater]

Im sad that I couldn't come this year

 

[soundspawn]

Nice, I see you even have a low rail back there to throw over anyone who wants to buy mantids as feeders. Good luck with the expo!

 

[dmina]

Funny... Good luck Rick... I wanted to try and make it this year... Maybe next year...

Have fun... Be safe ..

 

[Rick]

 

[Rick]

http://s13.photobucket.com/user/RTrone/media/Mantids/photo15_zps87daf5b5.jpg.html

 

[Rick]

This was about the only time I had a chance to step away and take a picture. It was quite busy most of the day and many little hands means you have to pay attention.