What Makes a Treehopper? Free Family Day

The Connecticut State Museum of Natural History and friends invite you to a enjoy a fun-filled afternoon celebrating the re-opening of the exhibit Natural Selection is Amazing! Exploring the Dazzling Diversity of Treehoppers with a special What Makes a Treehopper? Free 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
• Scientific talks by the treehopper scientists who developed the Natural Selection is Amazing exhibit
• 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!

Visit csmnh.uconn.edu/programs for more information.

If you require an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the CSMNH at 860-486- 4460 or [email protected] by Monday April 8, 2024.