CT State Museum of Natural History
Family DaY:
What Makes a Treehopper?
Join the CSMNH and friends at UConn’s Gant Science Complex for a fun-filled afternoon all about treehoppers!
CSMNH are excited to be celebrating the re-opening of their exhibit Natural Selection is Amazing! Exploring the Dazzling Diversity of Treehoppers with a special Family Day program at UConn Storrs!
Treehoppers are insects distinguished by their impressive head ornamentation, called a helmet. Their helmets come in a wide variety of shapes and styles, mimicking everything from thorns to aggressive ants. These helmets don't just look cool—they've got a great evolutionary story behind them!
Explore the Natural Selection is Amazing! exhibit and learn about all things treehoppers from the evolutionary biologists who study and preserve these amazingly diverse little creatures.
Program highlights and displays include:
Program co-sponsor Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry will be on site with a hands-on “Build Your Own Treehopper Helmet” station
"An Ant for a Hat: The Fashion-Forward Treehopper and the Evolution of Novelty," a talk by Dr. Cera Fisher, Postdoctoral Research Associate at Cornell University and one of the treehopper scientists who developed the Natural Selection is Amazing exhibit
Talks will take place from 2-2:30 and 3-3:30pm
Preserved specimens from the UConn Biodiversity Research Collections
Living plant specimens from the UConn Botanical Conservatory
Activities to introduce visitors to the behaviors and diversity of treehoppers, exploring concepts like mutualism and mimicry
Family Days are free and open to the public!
If you require any accommodations to participate in this event, please contact the CSMNH at 860-486-4460 or CSMNHinfo@uconn.edu by Monday, April 8.