For the first time the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon presents The World of Giant Insects on June 19th though October 10th, 2010. The exhibit, which is presented by Robins Federal Credit Union, opens June 19th with the museum’s annual “Bug Day” at 10 a.m. According to Amanda Respress, public relations director of the museum, the exhibits will feature giant replicas of bugs such as a Chinese praying mantis, stick bug, swallowtail butterfly caterpillar, rhinoceros beetles, and a desert locust. All of the giant animatronic bugs are manufactured by Kokoro Dinosaurs, which developed the robotic dinosaur exhibit the Museum of Arts and Sciences hosted in the past.
The exhibit will also have live exotic animals such as the death head cockroach, an
emperor scorpion, the Chilean rose hair tarantula and the infamous Goliath bird-eating spider in its Mini Zoo area. For those who want to see real-life specimens which are not alive, there is a very extensive collection of preserved specimens as well. The specimen are provided to the museum by local schools Macon State College, Georgia College and State University, University of Georgia, and Mercer University.
Two events are also in store for bug fans. One of them is a field trip to the Calloway Gardens Butterfly center on July 19th. The cost for is $75 for adult members and $55 for children ages 6-12 who are members, while adult non-members pay $85 and non-member children pay $60. Included in the price is transportation, admission, lunch, and a snack on the way home. Advance reservations must be made by July 2nd.
The MoAS is also featuring special bug-themed programs every Saturday morning during the summer starting June 26th through August 28th. Every Saturday at 11 a.m. there will be a different bug activity or program such as movies, hikes, and workshops.
For more information or to place a reservation for the Calloway Gardens trip, please call the Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences at 478-477-3232.
