Nature's Assassins and BUG FEST, the Academy of Natural Sciences, this August

by EJ on 07/30/12

I might be deathly afraid of spiders, but that won't stop me from dragging the whole Monster crew to Philly this August for the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University's "Nature's Assassins" and BUG FEST. It's Bug Month, after all! I'll face my fears with a straight face, as long as my eight-legged enemy is behind glass. Actually, I'm pretty excited to view a Black Widow up close - as well as the many other venomous creatures on display throughout the museum.

Beginning August 1st and running through August 31st, the Academy of Natural Sciences will host Nature’s Assassins: Bug Predators From Around the World. This exhibit will showcase dozens of live deadly scorpions, black widow spiders and giant centipedes in twenty tanks. Creepy creature haters like me will learn that while these insects are poisonous and deadly to other insects and their rodent prey, they're extremely beneficial to the environment.


The Academy of Natural Sciences' Bug Month swings into full gear during the weekend of August 11th and 12th with BUG FEST. This year's theme, Butterflies from Around the World, will feature activities for children and adults:

• Popular Cajun chef Zach Lemann will prepare buggy edibles including "chocolate chirp cookies" with samples provided.
• Touch live bugs!
• Learn about butterfly gardening.
• Visit Logan Square, across the street, for bug exploration.
• Cheer on your favorite roach at the Roach Race 500.
• Learn how to collect, pin and care for your own bug collection.
• Crafts and face painting. 

Visitors can tour the Academy's Butterflies! tropical garden exhibit and come face to face with exotic butterflies including the newly introduced birdwing butterflies from Southeast Asia and Australia.   


Both "Nature’s Assassins: Bug Predators From Around the World" and BUG FEST are free with admission. 

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University 
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Directions & Parking

Hours
10 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday
10 am - 5 pm, Weekends and Holidays

Admission
Adults (age 13 and above): $15.00
Children (age 3–12): $13.00

Enjoy 2-for-the-price-of-1 admission on Aug. 21, and the 21st of each month through March 2013.