Insect Fest Back For Sixth Running


by Anne Dolan

Cheese curls and corn nuts just not satisfying "the munchies" 
for you anymore?

How about some bug brownies or mealworm wigglers for a 
change? The Entomology Club invites you to sample these -- or 
corn borer cornbread and chocolate-covered crickets, if you 
prefer -- at the sixth annual Insect Horror Film Festival 
Oct. 12-14 in the Memorial Union. 

The film festival opens Friday and Saturday, Oct. 13-14, with 
an insect tasting event at 6 p.m. In addition to crunchy and 
innovative snacks, there will be an insect petting zoo, 
insect cartoons and a short talk by Jim McNutt, a predoctoral 
associate in the entomology department. He will tell how 
insects are used to develop moods in films and discuss the 
accuracy of the portrayal of insects and scientists in film.

The films begin at 7:30 p.m. both evenings. Friday's feature 
is Them, a 1954 classic about huge mutant ants that terrorize 
the American Southwest in their exodus from Los Angeles 
sewers. Friday events will be in the South Ballroom.

Saturday's film is Mothra, a 1961 piece that focuses on two 
tiny princesses who sing and talk in unison. When they are 
kidnapped by a corrupt promoter, Mothra, a giant caterpillar, 
goes to Tokyo to bring them home. Saturday events will be 
held in the Pioneer Room.

At noon Thursday, Oct. 12, Jim Mertens will give a slide 
presentation in the Maintenance Shop that highlights the use 
of insects, spiders and entomologists in Hollywood films. 
Mertens is an entomologist with the USDA National Veterinary 
Services, Ames.

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contact:  Anne Dolan, Internal Communications, (515) 294-7065
updated:  9-29-95