San Diego Botanic Garden - Located North of San Diego in Encinitas, California

Insect Festival 2011

Thank you for attending and making the Insect Festival a success.
Check back for next year's dates.

This one-of-a-kind event features thousands of fascinating creepy-crawlies including live insects, lizards, snakes, and the famous “Madagascar hissing cockroaches.” Children can practice bug collecting, hands-on insect arts and crafts, and even taste cooked mealworm larva (in various flavors such as mesquite, teriyaki, and barbeque!). Entomologists and other bug experts will be available for questions and more than 20 informational booths will teach and entertain children and adults alike. In addition, Dr. Mike Glassey will bring his hawks and owls for close viewing. Sponsored by the County of San Diego Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures, Lloyd Pest Control, and the San Diego Botanic Garden.

Cost: Free for members and children 12 and under.
Non-members free with admission

2011 Participants

All-Pro Environmental Services/ US Army National Training Center – Display of Native Snakes, Spiders, Scorpions, Hawk, Owl, etc.
Artracks – Bee and Bird Homes
Avian Eyes Interactive Outreach (AEIO) – Discover birds from around the world and interact with multiple species. Learn how important habitat is in the conservation of endangered species.
Bell’s Bugs, Etc. – Fun and Educational Presentations with live insects, millipedes, tarantulas, and reptiles.
Boy Scout Troop 799 - Activity Fundraiser: Honey Sales and Service Projects
C. Kumlin Designs - Hats with Florals and Insects
Casa Blah Blah – Jewelry Inspired by Travel and Nature
County of San Diego – San Diego County Vector Control and Other Insects: Vector control materials and an assortment of other insects from around the county and other areas
EcoVivarium – Creep, Crawl, Slither and Hop—an immersive interactive learning experience featuring a variety of ectotherms including snakes, lizards, monitors, arachnids, insects, millipedes, and centipedes.
Entomological Research Publishers - Mounted Insects and Books
Green Machine – A field trip that comes to you! Integrated Pest Management, Soil Science (soil creepy crawlies)
Hand-Eye Coordination - Fun and Educational Insect and Nature-Related Toys and Accessories
Highton Creations - Butterfly Wing Artist: Full life cycle butterfly wing wallhangings and insect jewelry
Hunt for Nature Publishing – Educational nature-focused children’s books and photography
Kritter Kat Art – Insect and related art, embroidery, stuffies, cards, finger puppets, all handmade by Kat
Carol Ann Lewin – Tiny Succulent Gardens: succulent gardens on small pottery (i.e. ceramic houses, votive candle holders)
Lloyd Pest Control
Robin M Cohen – Face Painting: painting bugs and other designs on faces and arms
San Diego Botanic Garden - Carniverous Plants Courtesy of Booman Floral
San Diego County Department of Agriculture - Insects of Agriculture and Inspection Dog Team
San Diego Herpetological Society - Close Encounters of the Cold-Blooded Kind
San Diego Natural History Museum - An Education Collection of Living and Preserved Insects from San Diego and Beyond
Safari T Shirts – Safari Moon, Impressions of Nature on t-shirts and accessories (baby wraps)
San Diego Zoo– Insects and Insect Eating Mammals
Santa Fe Nursery - Aquatic Organisms
Steven Kutcher / Bugs Are My Business – Live Insects, Educational Displays, Bug Art
Sun Stones Garden Art - Handmade Garden Art from Recycled and Repurposed Items. Mobiles, Rain Chains, and Little Garden Creatures.
The Worms’ Way – Selling worm castings, compost worms, and pet birds while educating about their benefits.
University of California Cooperative Extension – Integrated Pest Management Kiosk
Wonders of Wildlife - Bugs and Animals that Eat Bugs (presentation both days)

Banner photo: Herb Knufken

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