UMass Fernald Entomology Club at the Hadley Library
Meet live insects and spiders from the UMass Live Insect Zoo and examine preserved specimens from the university’s entomology collection. Student entomologists will be on hand to answer questions, guide close-up observations with microscopes, and even introduce you to insects you can safely hold. This program offers a chance to learn about insect anatomy, adaptations, and conservation while appreciating the vital roles arthropods play in ecosystems. Presented by the UMass Fernald Entomology Club, which has been promoting insect education and research for over 100 years.
Self-Directed Learning
Young entomologists are introduced to the science of insects and bugs, clearing up the confusion between the two while highlighting their fascinating diversity. Learn how true bugs differ from beetles, spiders, and flies by exploring body structures, mouthparts, and life cycles. The video explains how aphids, assassin bugs, and cochineal bugs survive, defend themselves, and interact with humans and plants. Along the way, learners explore key scientific ideas in biology, classification, and adaptation, offering context for field observation and self-directed discovery.
How can you tell the difference between an insect, a bug, and other arthropods?
What body parts or behaviors help insects survive in their habitats?
How might observing how an insect grows reveal clues about what kind it is?
