A Closer Look at Caterpillars: Inside the Entomology Club Movie Screening

On Wednesday, April 22nd, the University of Maine Patch Entomology Club hosted a special screening of "The Extraordinary Caterpillar" in Nutting Hall.

The screening took place in Nutting Hall, UMaine's forestry building. (Photo by Camryn Sudimick)

Entomology club member, Aliyah Leary, teaching children attending the event about the diversity of insects associated with native plants. The poster is titled "Canada Goldenrod and some of its faunal associations." (Photo by Camryn Sudimick)

The event brought together a variety of attendees, including UMaine students, local families with children, and members of the community, all sharing a curiosity about insects and the natural world. A total of 40 guests attended. The event was free, but the club was accepting donations throughout.

As guests entered the building, tables near the entrance were lined with free stickers, "Wicked Good Bugs of Maine" bumper stickers, flyers, and pamphlets. They had the opportunity to observe pinned insect specimens, and framed illustrated posters highlighting insects associated with native plants. Guests could also pick up flyers and calendars for upcoming nature events, including Maine Audubon's Native Plant Festival and Sale on May 23rd, and Bird Trivia Night with the Field's Pond Audubon Center on April 30th.

UMaine students in attendance, Izzy Gilley and Kat Neri, browsed informational flyers and pamphlets about invasive insect species of Maine, including the browntail moth. Izzy took home a "BUST BROWNTAIL" sticker. (Photo by Camryn Sudimick)

All attendees were entered into a raffle to win "Garden Guardians of Maine" insect poster or a copy of the Peterson Guide to Caterpillars of North America. (Photo by Camryn Sudimick)

Freshly popped popcorn and drinks were available to attendees to enjoy during the documentary. (Photo by Camryn Sudimick)

While guests continued filing in to their seats, insect trivia questions played on the big screen, giving them a chance test their knowledge. Before the screening began, guests heard welcoming remarks from the club President Richard Viveiro, Treasurer Alyssa Kuskowski, and club advisor Dr. Angela Mech. The officers also announced the raffle winners, with two guests receiving a poster, and one winning a field guide.

Alyssa Marini, the artist behind the "Garden Guardians of Maine" poster and the corresponding stickers featured throughout the event, was in attendance.

The officers invited special guest Allison Kanoti, forest entomologist with the Maine Forest Service, to the front to deliver opening remarks and introduce the film. She spoke about the educational work of The Caterpillar Lab, a New Hampshire-based nonprofit featured in the film, and about her excitement about the event and its turnout.

Allison Kanoti, forest entomologist with the Maine Forest Service delivered opening remarks. (Photo by Camryn Sudimick)

The documentary explored the ecological importance and diversity of caterpillars, a group of insects that are often overlooked. Guests learned about their host plant relationships and the key roles they play in food webs and the ecosystem. The film introduced species ranging from familiar backyard caterpillars, to highly-specialized species. Guests also learned ways to help support caterpillars by planting native plants.

The 1-hour documentary featured stunning macrophotography (Photo by Camryn Sudimick) (Film by Jeff McKay)

This event had a successful turnout and created a space for community members to engage with insects through art, outreach, and for some, even hands-on experiences. It reflected the Patch Entomology Club's goal of spreading an appreciation for insects, and making entomology accessible and engaging to the public.

Chloe Hart, who works in the UMaine Gardner Lab, brought some hissing cockroaches from UMaine's outreach collection to the event for some guests to have a hands-on experience engaging with insects. (Photo by Camryn Sudimick)