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Profs & Pints: "Bugscape" to Help Save Insects

Profs and Pints presents: Bugscape to Help Save Insects, a guide to gardening and landscaping with insects in mind, Nate Erwin, entomologist and former manager of the Smithsonian insect zoo and butterfly pavilion.

Insect numbers have plunged over the past 30 years, according to recent data published in Science magazine and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Thats very bad news, because insects and plants basically run the terrestrial ecosystems that support other forms of life.

The good news? Even despite these declines, and the alteration of their natural habitats by development, insects continue to exist throughout urban and suburban areas where we can take steps to revive their populations.

With the spring planting season upon us, dont just think in terms of growing flower and vegetables. Think in terms of providing food and habitat for bugs. You can increase insect diversity and bolster insect numbers by taking steps such as selecting the right plants for your patio, balcony, garden, or yard. Want bees? Plant mint. Black swallowtails? Grow dill or carrots. The list goes on and on. As you garden, youll not only help stem a worldwide decline in insects, but help insure that local birds find plenty of bugs to nosh on.

Come hear Nate Erwin discuss the decline in insect numbers and teach you how to bugscape to help insects out. A veteran entomologist who taught classes at the USDA graduate school and has long studied our local insect life, he will tell you what you need to know to make your neighborhood ecosystem a lot more fascinating and complex. Audience members will be given seedlings of flowers that bugs will love.

(Children and teens are welcome to attend but anyone under 15 should be accompanied by an adult. The talk will be on an adult level. Advance tickets: $12. Doors: $15, save $2 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors and the talk begins 30 minutes later. Please give yourself adequate time to place any orders and get seated and settled in.)