Insects

How to raise an insect

lepidopteran — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 04:20:28 +0000

How to raise an insect lepidopteran Wed, 03/18/2026 - 00:20

Thu, Jul 16 2026, 5:30 - 7pm

Location: Durant Nature Preserve

Description: Insects are amazing and humans could not survive on Earth without them. One great thing about insects is that we can often watch them throughout their entire life cycle, even in a very small space. We will talk about how to take native insects (caterpillars, etc.) that you might find in your own backyard and safely raise them in your house, as well as some tips about what to watch for as they grow. Price includes your own insect-rearing kit. Children must be accompanied by adults. Children and adults must register.

Cost: $15 (includes rearing kit)

Registration

Lifestyles of the Small and Squishy

lepidopteran — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 04:14:26 +0000

Lifestyles of the Small and Squishy lepidopteran Wed, 03/18/2026 - 00:14

Sat, Aug 22 2026, 2 - 4pm

Location: Durant Nature Preserve

Description: Insects eat plants—let me count the ways! There is a surprising and incredible variety of ways to eat plants, ranging from chewing them to sucking out their juices like mosquitoes do to us, to mining trails through the insides of leaves, to creating tumors on plants that create fresh food. In this workshop we’ll explore different ways animals eat plants and discuss the adaptations behind some of these methods of feeding. Then we’ll work on finding examples of herbivores in nature to provide you with some tools for contributing to science by looking closely at the small things feeding on plants in your backyards. Preregistration is required (please register online).

Cost: $5

Registration

Moth Night!

lepidopteran — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 23:13:48 +0000

Moth Night! lepidopteran Fri, 02/27/2026 - 18:13

Sat, Jun 13 2026, 8:30 - 10:30pm

Location: Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve

Description: Moths are incredibly diverse and beautiful! With nearly 3,000 species documented in NC, they come in an amazing array of colors, shapes, and sizes, and also play a vital role in the ecosystem. Please join David George, science educator and co-author of the Moths of North Carolina website, for a late-night program at Durant Nature Preserve. Many different kinds of moths, as well as a range of other interesting night-flying insects, are sure to show up at the lights - and hopefully so will you! This is a late-night program--bring a flashlight, insect repellent, and a water bottle. Children must be accompanied by adults. Children and adults must register.

Cost: $12

Registration

Lifestyles of the Small and Squishy

lepidopteran — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 23:10:47 +0000

Lifestyles of the Small and Squishy lepidopteran Fri, 02/27/2026 - 18:10

Fri, Jun 5 2026, 2 - 4pm

Location: Durant Nature Preserve

Cost: $5

Registration

How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Ways… Reproductive ecology at Durant

lepidopteran — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 23:09:20 +0000

How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Ways… Reproductive ecology at Durant lepidopteran Fri, 02/27/2026 - 18:09

Thu, Jun 4 2026, 6 - 7:30pm

Location: Durant Nature Preserve

Description: In honor of pride month, we'll explore the vast array of reproductive adaptations and behaviors in organisms around the preserve. From female insects that reproduce just fine without a male, to plants that have male and female body parts, to critters where males present as females and females present as males, life at the preserve is fascinating. Join us as we learn and celebrate the diversity in nature all around us. Bring a water bottle. Please pre-register online.

Cost: $5

Registration

Pollination: Advertising, Robbery, and Deception

lepidopteran — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 23:03:35 +0000

Pollination: Advertising, Robbery, and Deception lepidopteran Fri, 02/27/2026 - 18:03

Sat, Jun 27 2026, 9 - 11am

Location: Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve

Description: Pollination usually involves a relationship between plants and animals. Often it is beneficial to both plants and animals, yet sometimes one partner deceives the other. We'll talk about the pollination process, and we'll look for pollinators on plants at Horseshoe Farm Preserve, documenting them on iNaturalist. Children must be accompanied by adults. Pre-registration is required.

Cost: $5

Registration not yet available

Pollination: Advertising, Robbery, and Deception

lepidopteran — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 23:01:06 +0000

Pollination: Advertising, Robbery, and Deception lepidopteran Fri, 02/27/2026 - 18:01

Sat, Apr 11 2026, 2 - 4pm

Location: Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve

Cost: $5

Registration link

BugFest

lepidopteran — Sat, 29 Nov 2025 05:37:00 +0000

BugFest lepidopteran Sat, 11/29/2025 - 00:37

Sat, Sep 20 2025, 9am - 5pm

The NCBP will have a table at this year's BugFest event at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences.

Nature Discoveries Installment #1: pea vines, controlled tumors, and undiscovered flies at Durant Nature Preserve

lepidopteran — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 04:16:46 +0000

Nature Discoveries Installment #1: pea vines, controlled tumors, and undiscovered flies at Durant Nature Preserve lepidopteran Fri, 09/12/2025 - 00:16

Pollination: Advertising, Robbery, and Deception

lepidopteran — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 05:59:04 +0000

Pollination: Advertising, Robbery, and Deception lepidopteran Tue, 04/01/2025 - 01:59

Sat, Jun 21 2025, 2 - 4pm

Join NCBP member Tracy Feldman for a program at Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve in Raleigh.

Cost: $5