Insect Discovery Day returns to Alberta Birds of Prey Centre

Sunny South News Photo by Kristine Jean. INSECT DAY: Hector Carcamo, a senior research scientist with AAFC in Lethbridge, demonstrates how to capture insects using a net during the Insect Discovery Day at the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre in Coaldale. The centre closed for the season on Sept. 7, Labour Day, and will re-open on the May long weekend in 2027.

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

Area families had a chance to learn about and discover insects and their benefits, at the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre in Coaldale during Insect Discovery Day Aug. 8.    

Experts were on hand to answer questions, demonstrate how to identify different types of insects and how to capture insects using a sweep net. 

Alberta Birds of Prey staff were joined by members of the Entomological Society of Alberta at various stations set up at the centre, throughout the day.  

“We are sharing our passion for insects and spiders with everybody,” said Hector Carcamo, a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre. “We would like to inspire the next generation of Entomologists and we also would like to show the public (that) insects have very important roles in the ecosystem,” he added, noting not all insects are pests and many are very helpful and beneficial, as are spiders. 

Carcamo said insects play a “crucial role” in our ecosystem and pointed out how insects like bees help pollinate crops, beetles help control pests like aphids, and spiders eat flies. 

“We like to share our knowledge and our enthusiasm for insects with the public,” he said.  

Carcamo demonstrated how to capture plant hoppers using a net  – a small insect that hops or jumps from plant to plant and is not considered a pest insect.  

“It’s important to have insects feeding on plants because that keeps the plants young also – it rejuvenates them,” he said, noting the many grasshoppers they caught that day.

 “This is the time when you catch a lot of grasshoppers and we are showing people some of the differences between pest grasshoppers and other grasshoppers that are not pests,” said Carcamo, pointing out the region has at least 20 different species of grasshoppers. 

“Insects are extremely diverse,” he added. 

Chyan Humphrey, a senior staff member with the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre said they were thrilled to welcome dozens of visitors and families for Insect Discovery Day this year.  

“One of the big things we like to do at the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre, is inspire young minds about nature and conservation,” said Humphrey. “So we partnered with the Entomological Society of Alberta and they have 12 volunteers that came out to help us today.” 

She noted the centre has held the event previously, but not in the past three years. The last Insect Discovery Day was held in 2023. 

“We have a couple of booths set up with preserved insects in our Natural History Centre,” said Humphrey, noting such insects as butterflies, bees and moths as well as some live insects including honeybees, that were on display. 

Humphrey noted the insect experts were helping inform visitors of the types of insects found around the centre, both on land and in the water. 

“We’ve seen a lot of families out today, which is exactly what we were hoping for – was to get families out with their young kids, seeing (and learning about) insects,” she added.  

Carcamo encouraged visitors attending Insect Discovery Day, to leave with a new found appreciation for insects.  

“I hope they remember when you see an insect, how fascinating they can be,” said Carcamo. “I really hope the next time they see a spider in their washroom, they don’t step on it, but keep it … and put it out in the garden or leave it inside your home because they are helping you to control the pest insects.” 

The Alberta Birds of Prey Centre closed for the season September 7, (Labour Day Monday), and will re-open to visitors on the May long weekend 2027.