Bugs Will Soon Be Crawling Into Academy of Natural Sciences
By John McDevitt
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Things are getting "buggy" this month at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.
The Academy's 5th annual Bug Fest is coming up on August 11th and 12th.
The Madagascar hissing Cockroach, one of the largest species of cockroaches, reaching two to three inches, is one of the insects you'll be able to cheer on during the events Roach Race 500.
"You can come to our Roach Race 500 and find out why they are so fast and what makes them fast," says Karen Verderame, who is an Invertebrate Specialist at The Academy.
"And we not only race our hissing cockroach, but we will race our giant cockroaches, which is the longest cockroach in the world. Some of our peppered roaches which are very pretty. I know that sounds ironic, but there are pretty roaches out there."
You'll be able to see live butterflies in the walk-through tropical garden exhibit, including species from Southeast Asia and Australia.
Also on display throughout August is "Nature's Assassins: Bug predators from around the world." This exhibit includes live black widows, tarantulas, scorpions and giant centipedes.
