Bugs welcome at insect hotel

HOMES FOR HUHUS: Logan Turner, (left), Denzell Pei and Charlie Turner display the insect hotels outside Whanganui Museum.PHOTO/ BEVAN CONLEY 290915WCBRCSCH01

No slugs or snails are allowed to move into the hotel built by 10-year-old Zion Price at Whanganui Museum yesterday.

There is even a sign painted on the roof to keep the slithery pests at bay.

Zion and his 9-year-old brother Boaz were among a group of children creating friendly environments for beneficial garden insects.

The activity was part of the Creepy Crawly Fun theme of the school holiday programme at the museum run by tutor Riah King-Wall.

"The hotels are a helpful way to track insect populations and we hope to hear back from participants to learn which bugs have taken up residence.

"The idea is to attract native bugs like wetas and huhu grubs and native wasps that don't have a sting," said Ms King-Wall.

Museum display artist Dale Hudson had constructed the small three-storey structures for children to fill with a selection of pine cones, bamboo pieces, newspaper, cardboard and even a bit of AstroTurf.

"The newspaper is a bit of an unknown quantity - it hasn't been used in insect hotels before, although we know the rolled-up cardboard has proved popular as a good place to lay eggs," she said.

Marton visitors Denzell Pei, 11, and 7-year-old twins Logan and Charlie Turner were looking forward to taking their hotels home after they had a look around the museum.

The holiday programme continues this week and next week with a range of insect-related activities. Bookings are required and can be made by visiting the Whanganui Museum front desk or by calling 06 349 1110.