About us
The Scarabs are an informal group of folks who, for diverse reasons, are interested in insects and/or spiders. We have banded together (perhaps "swarmed" would be a better word) to socialize, exchange views, see interesting programs, and go on field trips with like-minded people.
Real scarabs (a type of beetle) spend their time burying balls of dung. The Scarabs, however, meet once a month, usually for a lecture or presentation, sometimes for a picnic or party. We go on field trips to collect, watch, or photograph the creatures of our choice. We publish a monthly newsletter, "Scarabogram," with news, articles, illustrations, and poetry. We show and tell about our collections and memorabilia. And of course we talk about bugs!
Members range in age from young children to retirees, and in experience from rank beginners to seasoned professional entomologists. Local members, who can attend meetings, are preferred, but others are not turned away. The only requirement is an interest in the subject matter!
All are welcome at our meetings, whether members or not.
Please see our website for more information, including dues and instructions on how to join. (Note: Joining here will get you meeting reminders but does not automatically make you an official member. The following website explains how to do that.)
Upcoming events
1
Woodpecker Flies: the Mysterious & Mighty Medetera — by Cynthia Brast
·OnlineOnlineWoodpecker flies, with their odd-looking stilt-legged stance, are in the genus Medetera of the mostly-predatory family Dolichopodidae (which is sometimes called the long-legged flies). The genus is very large with at least 350 species worldwide. Several species seem to be recorded from Washington, but info is sparse! Wikipedia says: "Medetera adults are predators of soft-bodied arthropods, while the larvae are predators of bark beetle larvae."
Cynthia says: "I am going to talk about the interesting life history and ecological value of Woodpecker flies as a pest predator of bark beetles - with emphasis on their roles in NW forests, but also globally. I’ll touch on how populations may increase (in response to beetle infestation) in fire damaged landscapes. I will also include a tiny mention about a possible roles in agricultural pest control - new research in control of thrips in Holland."
Cynthia Brast-Bormann is a conservation entomologist, former beekeeper, and scientific editor with expertise in honey bee health, sustainable pest management, and the ecological significance of insects and spiders. She brings a science-based and practical perspective to education and outreach, with particular interest in the often-overlooked role of flies.
Be sure to attend this one, you're sure to learn things you never knew before!
1 attendee
Past events
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