Winter 2015

Sponsored by

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAIDPERMIT NO. 37.

WILMINGTON, DE

The Nature Nook (Summer Hours)Monday – Saturday 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Sunday: Noon–3 p.m.

“Book in the Nook” StorytimeEvery Wednesday and Saturday: 11 a.m.

Science in Action Lab Times vary.

“Where’s Dude?” Scavenger HuntDaily

Live Animal PresentationsThursdays: 11 a.m.

Nano Lab: The Scienc of SmallDaily

Dr. Entomo’s Palace of Exotic WondersJune 13, 2015 – September 7, 2015

Please note:

Dates, times, descriptions, and other program information are subject to change. Please visit www.delmnh.org for the current program calendar.

4840 Kennett Pike Wilmington DE 19807

Socialize! Get the latest info on events, programs, photos, and more by following us on Facebook (delmnh), Twitter (@delmnh), Instagram (@delmnh), YouTube (delmnh), and Trip Advisor!

Ongoing Events

DiscoverySummer 2015

PLUS

• Amazing Arthropods

• Bryozoan Bounty

• Save the Date: Family Fun Day, Star Parties, Back to School Bash, Wine & Dinosaurs, and more.

DR. ENTOMO’S PALACE OF

Exotic WondersJUNE 13 - SEPTEMBER 7, 2015

Where’s Dude?Dude the Cat can be found hanging around the Museum, on Facebook, and in his own series of children’s books (available in the Museum Store). Now he’s here in Discovery, too! Look inside and see if you can spot him.

Step right up for a summer you won’t soon forget! I’ve dusted off the top hat and

red coat for this summer’s circus of an exhibit: Dr. Entomo’s Palace of Exotic Wonders. Exploring the world of arthropods (animals and insects with segmented bodies), this special exhibit is sure to get the hairs on the back of your neck standing on end. And, that’s just the start of the fun!

We’re rolling into the summer season with an incredible lineup of programming and events that highlight what we do best: science. Family Fun Day marks the official start to summer at the Museum, and visitors are invited to join us for a day of outdoor fun and excitement, in addition to the opening of Dr. Entomo. Summer Camps, Star Parties, Two Dollar Tuesdays, and more fill out the calendar for July and August before we make our way to the 9th Annual Wine & Dinosaurs, our signature fundraising event on September 20. Last year was our biggest year yet, and we hope you’ll join us to build on that success even more this year.

We hope to see you soon to enjoy the many exhibits, events, and programs we have to offer the entire family this summer.

Sincerely,

Halsey Spruance Executive Director

OUR MISSION: To excite and inform people about the natural world through exploration and…

Cover Image: Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae and are very agile hunters. They are relatively harmless to humans, but can strike if provoked. See them on view this summer in Dr. Entomo’s Palace of Exotic Wonders! Image Credit: Atlus Pest Solutions Above image: Family Fun Day, 2014This publication is made possible through a generous grant by the Davenport Family Foundation.DMNH is a registered 501(c)(3) non profit organization. © DMNH, June 2015

4840 Kennett Pike | Wilmington, DE 19807 Telephone: 302-658-9111 | Facsimile: 302-658-2610

www.delmnh.org

BOARD OF TRUSTEESPresident William D. Zantzinger

Vice President Gregory A. Inskip, Esq.

Treasurer John J. Kirby, CPA

Secretary Kurt M. Heyman, Esq.

Trustees Nina L.S. Burnaford, Esq.Richard F. CairnsCatherine Dearlove, Esq.Scott R. Inglis, CFAAmanda K. Konyk, Esq.John S. LarsonBenjamin J. Ledyard, JDRonald F. Logue, CPA, CTFAEdward T. NovakBeth PeckMaria Pfeffer

David A. Rusenko, CPAJonathan SchoolarDenise SpenceGordon F. StoneTimothy B. Weymouth

Life TrusteePhilip B. Weymouth, Jr., CPCU

Honorary TrusteeAlison K. Bradford

ADVISORSRichard D. Buchanan, AIACarol M. Clement-HarrisonPaige C. DraperCharles M. ElsonCatharine Hawks, FIIC, PA-AICGeorge J. SaxonTheresa R. Snyder, Ph.D.William H. SpenceMichael Vecchione, Ph.D.Judi Wilson

Step right up and behold the Devil with Two Heads! Witness scorpions that glow in the dark! Experience the offending stench of the Giant Vinegaroon! Freakish, bewildering

marvels of the insect world are on display in Dr. Entomo’s Palace of Exotic Wonders, on display June 13 – September 7.

Resembling an old-fashioned circus sideshow, this exhibit explores the truth, myths, and mysteries surrounding some of nature’s most curious creatures – many of them alive and on view.

e Exhibit Highlights fThose daring enough to enter will be captivated by the deceptive and treacherous techniques these insects can wield on unsuspecting predators. Exhibit highlights include:

F Rogues Gallery—Feast your eyes on some of the most notorious and dangerous bug criminals of our time–or are they?

F Glowing Terror—Explore one of the great mysteries of the bug world–why scorpions give off an eery green glow when placed under a blacklight.

F Theatre of the Macabre—Bugs not only look creepy, but some of the things they do are downright disturbing! Learn more about some weird and whacky bug behaviors.

F The Gaff—Behold the Ter-An-Tula: Part termite, part ant, part tarantula, all terror! What sideshow would be complete without the inclusion of a fantasy creature that challenges you to decide: Is it real? Or is it a fake?

F Dr. E’s Kitchen Cabinet of Curiosities—Bugs...as food? With even the World Food Organization promoting bugs as a good source of protein, Entomophagy has become a hot topic. A visit to Dr. Entomo’s Kitchen Cabinet reveals a “taste” of some buggy delights.

MEMBERS -ONLY SNEAK PREVIEW

Saturday, June 13, 2015; 9:00 a.m. FREE for Museum members

Members, mark your calendars! Family Fun Day is June 13. Be the first to see our newest special exhibit, Dr. Entomo’s Palace of Exotic Wonders, with an exclusive, members-only tour at 9:00 a.m. Then, act like the VIP you are and visit the exclusive Members’ Tent at Family Fun Day til 2 p.m. for refreshments and treats! As you and over 300 other guests enjoyed last year, we’ll be celebrating everything outdoors. Join us in our garden and on our patio for outdoor activities, games, and food!

Tickets and RSVP online at delmnh.org

Blacklight Scorpion, Outhouse Exhibit Services

EXHIBITS: Step right up and make your way to…

Discovery

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ARTHROPODS AND MORE: Summer at the Museum gets up close with…

We’re getting up close and personal with the fascinating world of arthropods all summer long! Our special exhibit, Dr. Entomo’s Palace of Exotic Wonders, is full

of live scorpions, beetles, millipedes, and tarantulas—but they won’t be the only creepy crawlies around the Museum!

Our multi-legged guests will be joined by:

Arthropods on Glass: Local artist Robert Jenkins’ watercolors on glass exhibit was inspired as a child by his uncle’s collection of rare moths. He creates unique, seemingly three-dimensional framed artwork that is sure to captivate you!

Scent of Honeysuckle: Bronze sculpture by renowned artist André Harvey. Will the frog catch the mantis? Will the mantis catch the hornet? Will the hornet enjoy the nectar of the honeysuckle? Come and find out!

Learn how to identify arthropods that creep and crawl around our Mid-Atlantic states—some even

in your own backyard!

Arthropods of the Mid-Atlantic: Have you ever wondered how a butterfly, a scorpion, and a lobster are all related to one another? Learn how to identify the many arthropods that creep and crawl around our Mid-Atlantic states—some even in your own backyard! It’s fun for the whole family!

Arthropods Eating You?!: We enlisted the help of Curator of Mollusks Liz Shea’s son, Michael, as a model for this hair-raising exhibit. And also added some creepy crawlies into the mix! Michael’s got a bad case of, well, pretty much everything. Come see this light-hearted look at some very real pesky critters!

ART-hropods

Local artist Robert Jenkins’ watercolors on glass exhibit, Arthropods on Glass, consists of unique, seemingly three-dimensional framed artwork that is sure to captivate visitors of all ages. Above: Lunar Moth. Below left: Eye-clicked Beetle. Below center: Cicada. Below right: Artist Robert Jenkins at work. Image credits: Courtesy of Robert Jenkins.

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EXHIBITS: Explore the state’s geologic history in...

Delaware Rocks!

Can rocks ring like a bell? How did Limestone Road get its name? What rock was once used as an ingredient to make chocolate? Visitors to the Museum can learn the answers

to these questions and more in a new outdoor display titled Delaware Rocks!, which was officially unveiled in a ceremony on May 11, 2015.

Located under a canopy of Willow Oaks between the upper and middle parking lots of the Museum, Delaware Rocks! showcases 14 large boulders—all from Delaware —with interpretive panels highlighting the formation and historic significance of these geologic time capsules.

Delaware Rocks! is the culmination of more than a year of planning, design, and development between Museum staff and local experts from the Delaware Mineralogical Society and the Delaware Geological Survey. The display includes:

• Sillimanite (Delaware’s state mineral) • Baltimore Gneiss• Pegmatite • Iron Hill Ore and Chert (2) • Gabbro • Cockeysville Marble (2)• Brandywine Blue Gneiss • Ringing Quartzite (2)• Barley Mill Gneiss • Quartzite (2)

At each interpretive panel, facts about the rocks provide context and background. Baltimore gneiss, for example, is the oldest rock in Delaware and underlies all of the other rocks. At over 1.2 billion years old, it was part of the ancient continent existing before the Appalachian Mountains began to form.

At each interpretive panel, facts about the rocks provide context and background.

Delaware Rocks! is made possible through the generous support of the Borkee Hagley Foundation, Ederic Foundation, and New Castle County. Mineral expertise was provided by Tom Pankratz of the Delaware Mineralogical Society and William “Sandy” Schenck of the Delaware Geological Survey. In addition, Meredith Doby of Meredith Doby Design Studios contributed her graphic and visual talents, and local landscape designer Susan Rivenbark developed a layout for the display.

Learning about the world around us can make a very big impression. According to the National Science Foundation, early visits to museums make a significant difference in students’ overall academic success.

At the Delaware Museum of Natural History, we inspire further inquiry into the natural world.

With our nature and science-based activities, kids can discover the connection between birds and dinosaurs. Families can explore animal habitats in our Nature Nook. Teachers can bring their students to the Museum and take new ideas back to their classrooms. Scientists and naturalists can search for answers to their research questions in our world-class collections.

Please help us enrich lives and inspire lifelong learning with a contribution

to our Adaptation Fund.

Your investment today will foster the scientists, problem solvers, and social innovators of tomorrow. Now that’s impressive!

Kindly mail a check in the attached envelope, go to delmnh.org and click on the “Donate Now” button at the bottom of the page to make a gift via credit card, or simply give us a call.

For more information on how you can support our mission, contact Director of Development Dawn Swartout at 302-658-9111, ext. 303, or dswartout@delmnh.org.

FOSSIL FINDS: Donation fills collections with a…

Have you ever heard of a bryozoan? Bryozoans are tiny aquatic animals that are found all over the world. We were delighted recently to receive an unexpected

donation of 31 fossil bryozoa from Karl Zipf, a fossil enthusiast from Wilmington.

“It’s humbling to realize that after 70 million years I am the first human to lay eyes on a new species.”

They were all found at the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal and date from the Cretaceous (146-65 mya). The biggest challenge in finding them is their small size. One of Zipf’s best finds was a new species that was named after him by Dr. Paul Taylor. “It’s humbling to realize that after 70 million years, I am the first human to lay eyes on a new species,” said Zipf. His fossils will serve as a record of the bryozoans found at the C&D Canal and will be available for other paleontologists to study as we learn more about these tiny animals.

Bounty of Bryozoans

Sea mat/Bryozoan (Cryptosula pallasiana). Image credit: David Fenwick

WIN

E &DINOSAU

RS

A WINE, BEER, & FOOD TASTING FESTIVAL

TO BENEFIT THE

How do you make a

Big Impression?

Above inset: Bryozoan (Idmidmonea traceyi) Image credit: Dr. Jean Woods

Left insets: Bryozoan (Anorthipora delawarensis) Image credit: Dr. Jean Woods

Sunday, September 20, 12 –4 p.m.$45 Member Tickets; $55 Non-members; $65 at the Door Save with a “six-pack!” Members $240; Non-members $300

Our ninth annual fundraiser features wine from local shops, dozens of local and craft beers, savory treats from the Museum’s preferred caterers, live jazz and an oompah band, the Wall of Wine, and an excellent silent auction. Bring your friends for a taste of Wilmington’s best! For info and updates, visit delmnh.org.

Gold Sponsors:

Must be 21 or older to attend

BRYOZOA PRIMER• 5,000 living species

• Found worldwide

• Average size: ½ millimeter (individual), 10 cm (colony)

• First found in the Ordovician Period (ca. 500 mya)

• Bryozoans (also called moss animals) are very small animals that typically live in colonies made up of genetically identical individuals. Each individual usually builds a hard skeleton around its body for protection and support. They feed by filtering tiny particles of food out of the water using their tentacles. Some members of the colony have special roles such as protection and reproduction. Colonies are usually attached to rocks, shells, and other hard surfaces, and can reach up to a meter in size.

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COMING UP: Loads of fun, family-friendly programs you won’t want to miss!

Special Events & ProgramsJUNE

Family Fun Day & Members’ Preview Saturday, June 13; 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Free with Admission or MembershipSponsored by Capital One, with additional support from Artisans’ Bank and Corporation Service Company.

The Museum is headed outside to celebrate the warm weather and the opening of a new exhibit: Dr. Entomo’s Palace of Exotic Wonders. Museum members get a special preview and tour of the exhibit at 9 a.m., and then enjoy VIP treatment in the special Member’s tent during the event! ThunderMinds FFL Team will have robots to play with. Get your face painted. Mount flowers with guests from Longwood Gardens. Make “glurch” with Science Explorers. Faithful Friends will be here with adoptable dogs to meet and pet. Hungry? KOI on the Go, a delicious Asian-fusion food truck, and Woodside Farm Creamery’s ice cream trailer will be selling yummy, summer treats!

Museum on the CrawlSaturday, June 20; 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.$8 for Members, $10 for Non-Members Pre-registration strongly suggested.

Have arthropods (insects, arachnids, crustaceans, etc.) earned the name “creepy crawly”? Let’s find out! We’ll be catching and identifying insects in our backyard – how many can you recognize? Then we’ll watch the movie “James and the Giant Peach” featuring James and his friends: Spider, Grasshopper, Centipede, Ladybug, and more. This will bring on an appetite, so we’ll offer an ice cream sundae bar – complete with EDIBLE BUGS (optional)!

Backyard ScienceSaturday, June 27; 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.Free with Admission or Membership

Messy science – all that fun stuff you might not get to do at home – try it here, in our backyard! We’ll have live animal encounters, stomp rockets, watermelons crushed by rubber bands, oobleck, and more hands-on, minds-on fun!

JULYTravel Through Time: And let there be life!Saturday, July 11; 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.Free with Admission or MembershipSuitable for ages 10 and up. Pre-registration suggested.

Travel through time with guest speaker, Ed Lauginiger also known as Dr. Fossil. Hear a brief account of geologic time and the theories of how life came to be on the Earth, which follows the major developments up to the beginning of the Paleozoic Era.

What You Didn’t Know About the Museum: Live AnimalsSaturday, July 11; 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.Free with Admission or Membership

DMNH is more than meets the eye! Get the inside scoop and a behind the scenes peek at the inner workings of the Museum! Meet some of our reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and arthropods in this program celebrating the Museum’s live animals. You’ll get to see an animal feeding and a live animal presentation. You’ll also get the chance to write letters to any of our live animals and enter an art contest – winners get to schedule a private animal feeding session for their family.

Night at the Museum: Community Overnight and Star PartyFriday, July 24, 8 p.m. – Saturday, July 25, 8 a.m.$25 for Members; $35 for Non-MembersPre-registration strongly suggested.

Be among the lucky few to spend a night at the Museum! We’ll begin the evening with a Star Party led by astronomers from the Delaware Astronomical Society. Then, walk through our trails to roast marshmallows over a campfire or snuggle up for a nature movie in our auditorium. Settle down to sleep with the dinosaurs in the dark of the Hall of Birds or out under the starry night sky. We’ll gently wake you up with a complimentary breakfast of coffee, juice, and bagels.

Be sure to pack: sleeping bags, flashlights, toothbrushes, tooth paste, pillows, a tent (for sleeping outside), and mp3 player (for those who can’t get to sleep right away).

AUGUSTTwo Dollar TuesdaysTuesdays, August 4, 11, 18, and 25; 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.$2 per person

Every Tuesday in August, the Delaware Museum of Natural History is partnering with Artisans’ Bank to lower admission prices to just $2 per person during August Two Dollar Tuesdays. Visitors are invited to explore the wonders of the natural world at the Museum for just $2 on August 4, 11, 18, and 25.

Parents’ Night Off Science CampFriday, August 7; 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.$20 for Members; $25 for Non-MembersPre-registration required.

It may be called Parents’ Night Off, but let’s be honest… it’s really for the kids! Experiments, movies, games, arts and crafts, and other activities mean there’s something for everyone. Includes dinner for campers.

Please note: Dates, times, descriptions, and other program information is subject to change.

Please visit www.delmnh.org for the current program calendar.

Travel Through Time: Claws, jaws, and paws!Saturday, August 8; 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.Free with Admission or MembershipSuitable for ages 10 and up. Pre-registration suggested.

Travel through time with guest speaker, Ed Lauginiger also known as Dr. Fossil. Explore the Paleozoic Era and the seven time periods by following the continued development of life in the sea and on land, which includes the rise and dominance of the vertebrates.

Back to School BashSaturday, August 15; 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.Free with Admission or MembershipPre-registration suggested.

Let’s turn “ughhh” into “oh yeah!” with an end of summer send-off. Make and take a few goodies for your first day. Learn something to bring to show and tell. And make a memory or two to start the year off right!

Backyard ScienceSaturday, August 22; 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.Free with Admission or Membership

Messy science – all that fun stuff you might not get to do at home – try it here, in our backyard! We’ll have live animal encounters, stomp rockets, watermelons crushed by rubber bands, oobleck, and more hands-on, minds-on fun!

SEPTEMBERWhat You Didn’t Know About the Museum: OutdoorsSaturday, September 5; 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.Free with Admission or Membership

DMNH is more than meets the eye! Let’s get outside and enjoy the beautiful fall weather touring our new Delaware Rocks! display, pollinator garden, and trails. Can you identify the geologic formations in our rock garden? What plants grow and attract in our pollinator garden? How many species of bird can you spot?

Travel Through Time: Dinosaur daze!

Saturday, September 12; 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.Free with Admission or MembershipSuitable for ages 10 and up. Pre-registration suggested. Travel through time with guest speaker, Ed Lauginiger also known as Dr. Fossil. Hear about the rise and fall of the dinosaurs and their relatives during the Mesozoic Era including detailed information about the “Big Five” of dinosaurs.

Science in Action DaySaturday, September 19; 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.Free with Admission or Membership

Geology, mineralogy, entomology, astronomy, aeronautics, robotics, biology – science gets the spotlight with presentations of all kinds throughout the day in our Science in Action Lab, Auditorium, and outdoor patio. Check our website for the latest!

Wine & Dinosaurs: A Wine, Beer, and Food Tasting FestivalSunday, September 20; 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.Pre-registration strongly suggested.$45 Member Tickets; $55 Non-members; $65 at the Door Save with a “six-pack!” Members $240; Non-members $300

Our ninth annual fundraiser features wine from local shops, dozens of local and craft beers, savory treats from the Museum’s preferred caterers, live jazz and an oompah band, the Wall of Wine, and an excellent silent auction. Bring your friends for a taste of Wilmington’s best! For info and updates, visit delmnh.org. Must be 21 or older to attend.

DMNH and First State Ballet Theatre present Sleeping Beauty Saturday, September 26; 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.Free with Admission or MembershipPre-registration encouraged to reserve seats for the performance.

In a beautiful marriage of nature and art, spend the day learning about animal hibernation – from the familiar bears and squirrels, to the unfamiliar, birds that experience torpor or fish that become dormant – then settle in for First State Ballet Theatre’s performance of Sleeping Beauty.

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Kids’ CornerFUN STUFF FOR KIDS: Learn more about Arachnids!

Materials: • paper plates • hole puncher• 24” pieces of yarn • plastic spiders

First, use the hole puncher to create a series of holes around the edge of the paper plate. Weave a piece of yarn back and forth across the paper plate to make a spider web. After you are finished, put a plastic spider in your web!

Remember, arachnids have 8 legs and 2 body parts! Insects have 6 legs and 3 body parts.

Which of these is NOT an

ARACHNID?Answer: Ants are NOT arachnids.

Scorpion Tick Ant Spider

WebsWoven Paper Plate

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VOLUNTEER VICTORY: Youth volunteer wins award for...

Alex Gustafson, a 10th grade volunteer at the Museum, was honored by Governor Jack Markell on April 21, 2015 in Dover, DE for the Governor’s Youth Volunteer

Service Awards. More than 300 people joined the governor in honoring 10 individuals and 4 groups of young people for their outstanding volunteer service.

“It is my privilege to honor our young people for volunteering their talents to support people in need and to help strengthen our communities,” said Gov. Markell. “It is my pleasure to thank our youth for turning their passion for public service into action.”

“I have a passion for rocks and minerals, and even have my own collection at home

that was started by my dad.”

Alex, of Chadds Ford, PA, is a student at the Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School in the University Scholars Program, an honors college-preparatory program designed to maximize the intellectual potential for gifted and motivated learners. The

16-year-old began volunteering at the Museum in 2014, and was nominated for this award for his work on the development of a cataloging system for the Museum’s collection of over 500 rocks and minerals.

Using a dichotomous key, Gustafson identified each rock and mineral specimen in the Museum’s collection. He then constructed a key for those rocks, including pictures, descriptions, and uses for each. In addition, he created a separate chart detailing the scientific data related to each specimen, including its composition, hardness, luster, and other categories.

“I have a passion for rocks and minerals, and even have my own collection at home that was started by my dad,” Gustafson said. “Eventually I’d love to go into environmental science and use my knowledge of rocks and minerals in that field.”

The Museum is tremendously proud of Alex, and we extend our sincerest congratulations on his accomplishment.

Service in Action

Alex Gustafson with Governor Jack Markell and First Lady Carla Markell.

Alex Gustafson sorting and cataloging mineral specimens in the Museum’s Collections & Research Department.