Great day for hunting bugs & creating art
The Tasmanian Arboretum, which was the venue for Landcare Tasmania’s The Great Bug Hunt and Art Lab, was alive with the colours and sounds of spring as participants began arriving on the morning of the event.
Photo credit: Greg Close.
Welcomed by Landcare Tasmania’s Sarah and Cynthia, and briefed on the basics of bug hunting by entomologist Trisan Skerratt, attendees soon scattered to scour the nearby trees, bushes, leaf litter and lawns in search of insects of every kind.
The hand net was the tool of choice for most bug hunters, proving invaluable for catching flying insects, while many less nippy critters were just scooped up using sample jars.
Photo credit: Greg Close.
Not five minutes into the hunt, Tristan had a line forming in front of his table – everyone wanted the critters they had caught identified by an expert. Insect field guides and magnifying glasses were on hand to help with the job of IDing, but the piece of kit that inspired most ‘wows’ was the microscope with a digital screen that Tristan helped participants use to see even the tiniest details on their insects’ bodies.
Tristan was up to the challenge of putting a name on almost every insect presented to him - he was only stumped by a tiny weevil and a ‘very cool’ beetle larva, and promised to get back to their capturers with answers after consulting some extra resources.
Photo credit: Greg Close.
With their insects identified, and in keeping with being thorough naturalists, most participants then began documenting their findings. Pencils, crayons, pastels and water colour paints were used to portray moths, beetles and bees - with some stunning results!
Photo credit: Greg Close.
“My favourite part was painting,” said one budding naturalist and artist, while another asked Tristan, “How do I get this job?”
The only dampener on the event was the literal kind – light rain began when many artists were still at work, meaning some water colour paintings were a bit more watery than intended. All captured insects were released back into the wilds of the arboretum.
Photo credit: Greg Close.
Thank you!
We are grateful to the Tasmanian Arboretum, the Naturalist and Arboretum Learning Initiative, Children’s University Tasmania and everyone who came along, for contributing to the success of the event.
This event is part of Landcare Tasmania’s Citizen Science Education Program, proudly supported by the JM Roberts Trust.
