Press Release
The Agroecosystems Entomology Lab at the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center has refreshed the insect display at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission office in North Platte.
The project started when West Central staff member Randy Lloyd noticed the display was showing its age while he was at the office buying park permits.
“We have a moth here in Nebraska called the luna moth that is usually lime green in color, but it was completely white in the display,” Lloyd said.
After seeing the condition of the exhibit, Lloyd reached out to Nebraska Game and Parks to ask if the lab could help update it. With approval, the Agroecosystems Entomology Lab got to work.
Lab members reused insects from the original display when possible. They also added more specimens collected from blacklight traps, which are normally used for research.
Once the insects were gathered, students and lab members carefully prepared and pinned each one for display.
“To properly pin insects, it depends on the species you are pinning,” said Mizanur Rahman, a member of the entomology lab. “First, you have to collect the insect, kill it by putting it in the freezer or through another method, and then finally you pin the insect according to the protocol for that species.”
The updated display includes a creative touch. Scarab beetles were arranged to form the outline of Nebraska. A single western bean cutworm moth marks the location of North Platte.
That moth was chosen for a reason. The western bean cutworm can cause serious damage to corn and lead to economic losses for farmers in the region.
The finished display gives visitors a closer look at the wide variety of insects found across Nebraska. Lloyd said the project highlights the value of working together.
“It never hurts to collaborate with the local community and to show them what we are doing to support agriculture and the North Platte area,” he said.