InsectPalooza Can be ‘Life-Changing,’ Org Asserts

Handling a giant African millipede, which can grow up to 13 inches long and 2.5 inches around, will change your life forever, according to SaveNature.Org chief executive officer and co-founder Norman “Norm” Gershenz. 

“There’s not a person from two to 92 years old that when I say your life is changed forever by holding these insects, will not be changed forever,” he said. “Holding these animals do that.” 

Established in 1993, SaveNature draws a direct line between insect education and conservation efforts. Which is why the San Francisco-based nonprofit is hosting its fourth annual InsectPalooza on May 19 from noon to 3 p.m. at Minnesota Street Project. 

Gershenz said it’s easy to make a connection between the giant African millipede and the ones commonly found in everyone’s backyard. 

“The millipedes in the garden do the same thing; they’re great decomposers,” he said. “We want people to be better stewards of the planet and to do that locally. We want to inspire people to care more about nature. They’re what I love to call ‘oh my’ animals because when people hold them for the first time, everyone says, ‘oh my.’” 

In addition to the giant African millipede, SaveNature will have giant thorny walking sticks from Malaysia – also known as jungle nymphs – and Madagascar hissing cockroaches. Each InsectPalooza station will feature eight or nine bugs, providing attendees a chance to see, touch, and hold them.

An insect that’ll be on display, but not available to touch, is the largest scorpion in North America, the giant desert hairy scorpion, housed in a darkened box. When an ultraviolet light is turned on above it the scorpion glows bright blue or bright green. There are smaller scorpions that live in the Bay Area under rocks and logs; SaveNature wants to draw a connection to the local habitat. 

SaveNature is hosting the event with the San Francisco Arts Education Project, with support from the Goldstein-Warrington Family Fund. Three local artists, Zoe Farmer, Lauren Hartman, and Jennifer Zee will facilitate artmaking. 

Farmer creates sculptures of creatures made of seed pods, feathers, parts of insects, and anything else that inspires her. 

“I’m a big fan of the potential of natural materials as sculptural and I’m aware of my impact as an artist,” she said. “I want to use nature-friendly materials.”  

At the event she’ll bring items she’s collected and support people to make their own bug or beetle. She’ll also provide tiny pieces of wood so participants can display their artwork. She plans to use the cochineal scale insect, from which the natural dye carmine is derived, to extract the dye to create paint, or examine the bug under the microscope. 

“I think one of the things that I do, and hope to share with people, is that by looking at and paying attention to nature, we are inspired to save it and also create our own sense of wellbeing and seeing our place within nature,” she said. 

Zee will do printmaking. Hartman will offer a hand-stitched embroidery activity. 

InsectPalooza attendees will be able to sample chocolate chip mealworm cookies. Using beetle larva, the cookies have an almond flavor but are nut-free. 

“Last year, when we weren’t even halfway through the event, all the cookies were gone,” Gershenz said. “Everyone ate them.” 

This year he’ll make more so that everyone can try one. Attendees will be able to participate in a raffle with prizes such as a safari to South Africa.

“We want to inspire care to save nature,” he added. “We’ll provide information sheets about plant pollinator gardens, ways to reduce light pollution, and other ideas people can do like using compost bins.” 

Last year’s event attracted upwards of 500 people. From the advance free tickets on Eventbrite this year will easily surpass that, according to Gershenz.