EXHIBITS
Physical Exhibit Archive: Small Wonders: The Expansive World of Insects
Small Wonders: The Expansive World of Insects
Utah State Today press release: Thursday, February 4, 2016
Feeling Bugged? See the New Exhibit at USU’s Merrill-Cazier Library
A new exhibition entitled “Small Wonders: The Expansive World of Insects” opens Feb. 9 in the atrium gallery of the Merrill-Cazier Library at Utah State University. Organized by USU’s University Libraries and USU Entomology Club, the exhibition features insect specimens, informational panels and library materials about insects and their important relationship to humans and other life forms.
Madeleine Dupuy, current president of the USU Entomology Club and doctoral candidate in ecology, describes the types of topics emphasized in show.
“We chose topics from a myriad of fascinating aspects of insect life that we thought would be most interesting, or most informative, to a general public audience and chose complementary specimens to accompany those topics,” she said. “Topics range from basic questions like ‘What is an insect?’ and ‘Why are insects so diverse?’ to specific insects that are important in our everyday lives.
“We had a group of very dedicated graduate and undergraduate students who researched, wrote and edited the text and curated specimens for the exhibit. The library exhibition committee is handling the layout, design and set up of the display.”
From the University Libraries’ collection, viewers will see exquisitely illustrated entomology publications, including 19th century periodicals, selections from the James Prestini Design collection, historical materials from USU Archives and more recently published materials on bee keeping, beetles, butterflies, pests and pollinators. For Dupuy, the exhibition is important because it encourages people to understand insects from new perspectives.
“I think this exhibit will get people to think about insects in ways that they normally wouldn’t,” she said. “It’s important for people to think about life from something other than the human perspective every now and then, and I think insects offer a particularly fascinating perspective to view life from. And of course, insects have huge impacts on our everyday human lives — after all, there are more species of insects than any other life form on Earth.
“I hope everyone will get a chance to come see the exhibit while it’s up in the library atrium. Even if you think insects are gross, there is something for everyone, and hopefully we can change your mind.”
An opening reception for the exhibit is Feb. 9 from 4-6 p.m. in Merrill-Cazier Library, Room 101. The reception begins with presentations by Dupuy and Emily Sadler, a doctoral candidate in biology and past president of the USU Entomology Club. “The presentation will show how amazing insects truly are and showcase some of the fantastic research done at USU," Sadler said.
Writer: Rose Milovich
Exhibit Panels
Exhibit Cases
Gallery Talk
USU Entomology Club
Madeleine Dupuy is a PhD candidate working on the integrated pest management of billbugs in turfgrass. She is the president of the entomology club and hopes to one day spread her love for insects and ecology by teaching at the university level.
Sabrina Shay A. Anderson is the vice president of the entomology club. She works for the Institute for Antiviral Research and volunteers in the French Lab. She is an undergraduate student who is working toward a bachelor’s degree in biology, after which she hopes to go to school to become a herpetologist.
Emily Sadler is a PhD candidate studying the taxonomy and systematics of nocturnal wasps. The knowledge she gains from her studies will be used in a novel approach to understanding when the deserts of the southwest came to be. She plans to continue in academia as a professor where she will work to support and encourage underrepresented groups in science.
Shannon Guymon is the secretary for the Entomology Club. She is currently an undergraduate working towards her double bachelor's degree in biology and secondary education, with a minor in chemistry. After graduation, she plans to teach biology to students in middle or high school, and to instill in them a love for entomology.
Corey Andrikopoulos is a master’s student studying alternatives to honey bees for agricultural pollination. He is the beekeeper for the Entomology club. Following his master’s he intends to pursue a PhD in insect ecophysiology in hopes of one day teaching at the university level.
Zach Portman is a PhD candidate studying the evolution of bees. He hopes to graduate someday.
Ryan Keweshan is a PhD candidate studying the nature of resistance in Culex pipiens mosquitoes to a commonly used insecticide. He plans to teach the next generation of scientists when he finishes his degree at USU.
Michael Orr is a PhD candidate studying bee biology and classification. His work takes him throughout the southwestern deserts, where he has discovered several new species. Michael hopes to eventually become a museum curator.
Andi Kopit is a master’s student studying the effects of pesticides on Blue Orchard Bee behaviour and development. She is the Education Outreach Coordinator for the USU Entomology Club and enjoys using insects and other invertebrates to teach the public biology, ecology, and agriculture principles.
Katie Weglarz is a PhD candidate studying the interactions between insects and their symbiotic bacteria. She loves spending time outdoors and plans to continue to spread her enthusiasm for both science and insects after graduating.