Meow and hello friends, it’s Cosmo the Library Cat, with more great news for all of you curious kids out there. Miss Linda the Zoo Lady will be sharing her vast knowledge of entomology at Grand County Public Library with a special bug program on Tuesday, May 6 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Entomology is the study of insects. To most humans, “bugs” describe anything that is small and wiggly with six or more legs. To scientists, “bugs” are a very specific type of insect. To us cats, they’re nature’s equivalent of a ribbon on a stick: jumpy, twitchy, and hours of fun.
I know that not everyone holds our leggy friends in such high esteem. Unlike your humble correspondent, bugs are generally not welcome indoors and are rarely described as “handsome boys.” I’ve even seen them cause full-grown humans to flail about screeching in a most undignified manner. And as much as I personally admire their protective exoskeletons and feathery antennae, I have to admit they have a concerning number of legs. However, bugs play very important roles in our ecosystems: we would not want to live in a world without them.
Tuesday night, you’ll get a chance to meet a particularly interesting specimen! Miss Linda the Zoo Lady is going to bring a special guest: a hissing cockroach who has come all the way from Madagascar! Unlike regular cockroaches, the Madagascar hissing cockroach doesn’t harbor diseases or infiltrate homes, and they are often kept as pets. These curious creatures make a hissing sound as a defense mechanism, just like I do! I’m told this little guy is even willing to pose for pictures with you! He hasn’t been named yet, but Miss Linda is ready to welcome your suggestions. (Personally, I think “Aloysius” would be a fine moniker.)
I hope you can join us for this enchanting entomological evening. And hopefully Miss Linda will set us all straight on the distinction between insects and bugs.
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