Bug Fair at Natural History Museum May 16 and 17

The 23rd annual Bug Fair returns May 16-17, 2009 to the Natural HistoryMuseum of Los Angeles County. The popular two-day event has turned intothe Museum's best-attended weekend attraction, drawing thousands of entomology experts and fans.

This year's Bug Fair has been expanded to provide more vendor and display booths - with the expo area spreading out beyond the Museum's Grand Foyer and first floor galleries into the second floor diorama hall. More than 60 unique vendors display everything from rare specimensof beetles and butterflies to entomological equipment and insect tattoo art. Private collectors show off their exotic collections and "pet" insects, such as hissing cockroaches and rhino beetles, are sold.

At interactive educational booths, visitors of all ages can handle insects, talk to Museum scientists and witness tarantula and assassin bug feedings.

Bug Fair headliners include demonstrations and special appearances by NHM entomologist Brent "the Bug Guy" Karner; kid-friendlymusical performances by Annie and the Natural Wonder Band; and bug chef David George Gordon. The latter's menu includes desert hairy scorpion scaloppines and tempura battered tarantulas.

On Sunday, the Bug Fair will also host a special appearance by origami artist Robert Lang.

Also open during the Bug Fair is the Pavilion of Wings, a beautifully landscaped, enclosed garden in which Museum visitors can stroll and encounter more than 40 species of free flying butterflies - including the Giant Swallowtail, the American Painted Lady and the state butterfly, the California Dogface.

Bug Fair Info The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is located at 900Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90007. Bug Fair hours are the same as Museum weekend hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.nhm.org or call (213) 763-DINO.

The expo portion of the Bug Fair is located on the first and second floors of the Museum. The Pavilion of Wings is located on the Museum's South Lawn. Appearances by the visiting "bug chef" are in the Jean Delacour Auditorium. Admission The Bug Fair is included in the price of regular Museum admission.

Adults $9; Students, Seniors and Youths (13-17) $6.50; Children (5-12) $2. Museum members and children under 5 are FREE.

Admission to the Pavilion of Wings is separate: Adults $3; Students and Seniors $2; Museum members and children under 5 are FREE.

About the Museum
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County serves more than one million families and visitors annually, and is a national leader in research, exhibitions and education. It has amassed one of the world's most extensive and valuable collections of natural and cultural history- more than 35 million objects, some as old as 4.5 billion years.

BUG CHEF DEMO "MENU"
The following is a list of dishes to be prepared during the Insect Chef demonstrations at the 23rd annual Bug Fair on site at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County on May 16 and 17, 2009.

Desert hairy scorpion scaloppines
Desert hairy scorpions
Cornmeal

Tempura battered tarantula
· Western brown tarantula
· Tempura batter

Sheesh-kabob
Lubber grasshoppers
Green pepper
Red pepper
Mushroom

Sweet and sour silkworms
Silkworm larvae
Cabbage
Asian sauce

Washington waxworms
· Waxworms
· Sugar
· Shredded coconut

Orthopteran orzo
Crickets
Orzo pasta
Green peppers
Red peppers
Sliced almonds
Parsley

NOTE: Some dishes may be sautéed and in that case margarine is used.