Chester Zoo A eview of Bugs, July 2013

[bongorob]

There are no dinosaurs at Chester this year, so my review will be of the bugs exhibit instead. http://www.zoochat.com/42/entrance-bugs-chester-2013-a-329768/

There are thirteen animatronic invertebtrate displays, although the first time round I only counted twelve, I missed the grasshopper. It is easy to find, situated in the centre of the east zoo. http://www.zoochat.com/42/signage-bugs-chester-2013-a-329767/

The first exhibit is of seven Black Ants (Lasius niger) on a rotting apple. Each exhibit has a species label and a sponsorship label, the ants are sponsored by THE BUSINESS NETWORK, CHESTER. the species label indicates the actual size of the real animal and tells visitors how much bigger the model is.

Next is a Bombardier Beetle (Stenoptinus insignis). http://www.zoochat.com/42/bombardier-beetle-bugs-chester-zoo-2013-a-329776/

The beetle squirts water but not as spectacluarly as the dinosaur did last year. The young children seemed to enjoy the expereince. http://www.zoochat.com/42/bugs-chester-2013-a-329769/

As you cross over the stream look to the right and there is a Blue-eyed Darner (Rhinonaercha multicolor), a large species of dragonfly from the United States.

Next is a Giant Dead Flower Mantis (Idolomantis diabolica), I thought it looked quite scary. A sign here invites visitors to take a look at the zoo's living and breathing Dead Leaf Praying mantis in Realm of the Red Ape.

Anyone who is now all bugged-out can choose to view the Caribbrean flamingo chicks opposite the Say's Firefly (Pyractomena angulata), which comes complete with glowing tail. http://www.zoochat.com/42/say-s-firefly-bugs-chester-zoo-329777/

Visitors can make the tail light up by vigorously turning a handle on top of a large artificial battery. It was great fun for the children. http://www.zoochat.com/42/bugs-chester-zoo-2013-a-329778/


At this point I overhead a visitor say, "I think this is incredible." A quick exit route is available here should anyone need it.

Next exhibit is the one I had been looking forward to the most, but I must admit to being disappointed. The Orb-web Spider (Araneus diadematus). It wasn't as impressive as I imagined as it scuttled up and down it's web. The model however was 120 times longer than the real spider. http://www.zoochat.com/42/orb-web-spider-bugs-chester-2013-a-329784/

Then it is the commercial area. Visitors are invited to 'Smile, and strike a pose for your mind-bogglingly big bugs photo.' I declined. http://www.zoochat.com/42/photography-area-bugs-chester-2013-a-329785/

After the photographer's area is a Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus). There is a control panel here enabling isitors to move the head and palps of the beetle. a joystick controls the head and buttons the palps. The right palp (in relation to the observer), was not working, but the left one could be moved. The sign invites one 'to move my mandibiles and wiggle my palps.' http://www.zoochat.com/42/stag-beetle-bugs-chester-zoo-2013-a-329786/

Just along the path is a beautiful Madagascan Sunset Moth (Chrysiridia rhipheus). There is a reminder to check out the Butterfly Journey exhibit where live butterflies are on show. http://www.zoochat.com/42/madagascan-sunset-moth-chester-zoo-2013-a-329787/

My second favourite exhibit is the Emperor Scorpion (Pandinus imperator), the only species of scorpion I have handled. People were very impressed witht he size of the pincers. A sign invites visitors to visit the close relative, the whip scorpion in Fruit Bat Forest. http://www.zoochat.com/42/emperor-scorpion-pincers-bugs-chester-zoo-329792/

A Meadow Grasshopper (Chorthippus parallelus) is something I missed the first time round, but I quite liked it when I saw it on my second circuit. http://www.zoochat.com/42/exhibit-walkway-bugs-chester-zoo-2013-a-329793/

Another nice exhibit is the Red-tailed Bumble Bee (Bombus lapidarius) sitting on a daisy. One of my firends told me he had recently seen a live one, I was suitably impressed until I discovered that they are very common. It might even have been the species that stung me three weeks ago for all I know. Red-tailed Bumble Bee Bugs Chester Zoo 2013 - ZooChat Gallery

Across the path is a small butterfly and wildlife garden adjacent to the activities hut. Presenters had a selection of small moths for visitors to look at. Stories are told at various times throughout the day in The Bug House. http://www.zoochat.com/42/bug-house-chester-zoo-2013-a-329798/

A 7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata), described as a killer in a pretty dress is the penultimate species, and is two hundred times the size of the real ladybird.

Finally is a Mexican Red-kneed Tarantula (Brachypelma smithii). I found this difficult to photograph because of the mist blowing across the site. This is the spot where Chuck and his mum lived. (T.rex). I willm miss him, but I have it on good authority that he is doing well in his new home.

This year's photo opportunity at the exit is two smallish 7-spot ladybirds.

An exit from the exhibition was possible the day of my visit without going through the shop.

Personally I didn't like it as much as the dinosaurs, but the public seemed to find it interesting.

Labelling http://www.zoochat.com/42/labelling-bugs-chester-zoo-2013-a-329788/

Sponsorship http://www.zoochat.com/42/sponshorship-label-bugs-chester-2013-a-329783/

 

[Chlidonias]

I think it looks brilliant from the photos. Much better than dinosaurs (the photos of which in various zoos - not specifically Chester - often look like rubbish).

 

[gentle lemur]

I got as far as the dragonfly and gave up because I was very disappointed: its wings are held vertically over its back like a mayfly
There is also something about the texture of the 'chitin' that looks quite wrong, I had expected hard glossy plastic surfaces but they looked just like painted metal - I guess I shouldn't have been surprised.
However I hope everyone else enjoys the Bugs much more than I did.

Alan

 

[kaytronika]

I thought it was fun, the kids running around there are certainly loving it and there are some nice interactive and hands on bits running at the education hut.. At one point we spotted a group of about 15 kids helping to build a bug hotel.

A couple of points:

Not as many youngsters were running in fear for their very existance, unlike the dinosaur exhibits previously. Not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing
But we did see one youngster miss out because mum was arachnophobic.
The bombadier beetle is supposed to squirt a little more than he does.
I don't know if it's heat related, but on Sunday a number of the bugs were creaking a bit, it ruined the effect a little but I'm sure it's something that can be addressed. I didn't notice any problems a few days before. Spot of grease needed perhaps?
We hung around the red kneed tarantula for a little while and the mist does clear allowing you to get a photo... assuming you can get a clear view as it is quite a popular subject for pics of the kids.