by David Chapman
Staff Writer
A giant praying mantis with scythe-like forelegs, a gargantuan buzzing locust, and a monstrous bloodsucking mosquito.
Though you might see them all in a science fiction double feature, those insects and others are animated and enormous at the Museum of Science and History as part of its “Insect Giants” exhibit that opened Memorial Day weekend.
The giant animated models include a praying mantis, battling Atlas beetles, a crawling swallowtail butterfly caterpillar, locust and walking stick.
The robotic heads of a mosquito, dragonfly and bee are enlarged up to 600 times to give visitors a closer look through the eyes of the insects by using a magnifying glass.
Both the animated models and the heads of their bug brethren have educational information about each creature on plaques and displays.
Initial response to the crawling critters exhibit was strong.
“Over 1,100 visitors came to see the bugs,” said Jennifer Grimes, MOSH Communications and Public Relations Manager. “The museum was a beehive of activity.”
The opening weekend, she said, included numerous shows, promotions and giveaways in celebration of the exhibit’s arrival.
It’s not all large though, and the display also includes a zoo with several glass cases with different species of bugs and an interactive question and answer wall display that focus on the different parts and senses of insects.
The models were handcrafted by Japan-based Kokoro, which also created the dinosaurs for MOSH’s “Dinosaurs & Ice Age Mammals” exhibit last summer. All models include an internal computer that mimics the sounds and movements of each insect.
The entire exhibit is the focal point of museum programming for the next few months, with summer camp themes including “Entomology 101” and “Wings, Stings and Crawly Things.”
“The museum hopes to stimulate the joy of learning in all its visitors by providing them with educational and entertaining programming,” said Grimes. “This is one of the ways we do that.”
No official date has been set on when the “Insect Giants” exhibit will be exterminated, but Grimes said it should conclude before fall.
For more information on the exhibit or summer camps, visit www.themosh.org.