VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.

[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION AND FRIENDS OF NCI] [MUSIC PLAYING] Huell Howser: OK.

HERE WE GO.

IT IS GOING TO BE AN EXCITING DAY, BECAUSE LOOK.

IT'S JUST 10:00, AND THEY'RE ALREADY STANDING IN LINE.

THE LINES ARE FORMING.

PEOPLE ARE PUSHING TO GET IN.

>> PEOPLE LOVE BUGS.

Huell: PEOPLE LOVE BUGS, AND I'M NOT EVEN GONNA ASK YOU ABOUT YOUR-- >> [LAUGHS] Huell: ABOUT YOUR HEADGEAR HERE.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, YOU GOTTA BE, UH--HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A BUG THEME.

IT'S THE 22nd ANNUAL BUG FAIR AT THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

Huell: ALL RIGHT.

NOW, WHAT IS THE BUG FAIR, BRENT.

WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT?

>> IT'S A-- Huell: 'CAUSE I'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THIS THING.

>> WELL, IT'S A CELEBRATION OF EVERYTHING MULTILEGGED, I GUESS, THAT'S A LITTLE BIT CRUNCHY ON THE OUTSIDE--INSECTS, SPIDERS, SCORPIONS, MILLIPEDES, CENTIPEDES, YOU NAME IT.

AND THIS IS A PLACE WHERE YOU WILL FIND SPECIMENS, THE--THE LIVE, UH, EXAMPLES.

UM, ANYTHING INSPIRED BY BUGS, WHETHER THEY MAKE IT, LIKE HONEY AND WAX--UH, IT'S--IT'S, UH, ARTWORK, TOYS, T-SHIRTS.

UH, WE CELEBRATE BUGS, AND YOU CAN SEE-- Huell: NOW, HOW DID ALL THIS START?

WHAT WAS THE IDEA BEHIND HAVING A BUGFEST, A BUG FAIR?

>> WELL, I MEAN, IT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS--THEY ARE THE MOST, UH, SUCCESSFUL GROUP OF ORGANISMS ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET, AND IT'S-- Huell: YEAH, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE GET A LITTLE SKITTISH WHEN YOU START TALKIN' ABOUT BUGS.

>> AND THAT'S ONE OF THE PROBLEMS, SO WE WANTED TO SAY THEY'RE PRETTY DARN COOL, AND HERE'S OUR CHANCE TO SHOW THE--THE WORLD.

Huell: WHAT IS THAT ONE?

LOOK AT THIS.

>> THIS IS A, UH, MEXICAN FIRE LEG, OR BRACHYPELMA BOEHMEI FROM NORTHERN, UH, MEXICO.

Huell: THAT'S A TARANTULA.

>> THIS IS A TARANTULA.

UH, IT'S EATING RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S WHY IT'S IN A STRANGE POSITION.

IT'S CHOWIN' ON A CRICKET AS WE SPEAK.

Huell: OH, MY GOSH.

>> BUT THIS ONE HERE... Huell: OH.

>> IS A REAL NICE, LITTLE, SWEET LADY.

Huell: OH, BOY.

>> THIS IS BRACHYPELMA ALBICEPS, OR THE MEXICAN GOLD RUMP TARANTULA.

VERY, VERY SWEET.

VERY DOCILE.

YOU CAN SEE THE FANGS ARE DEFINITELY STILL INTACT, BUT SHE JUST WILL NOT USE THEM.

Huell: NOW, I KNOW THEY DON'T BITE, DO THEY?

>> OH, THEY CERTAINLY CAN.

THERE'S SOME THAT--WE GO DOWN THAT END OF THE TABLE, AND, UH, WE'RE ASKIN' FOR TROUBLE.

Huell: BUT WHAT ABOUT THIS ONE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

Huell: CAN I PUT THIS ONE ON MY HAND?

>> BE JUST FINE.

Huell: BECAUSE LOOK.

THIS IS ONE OF LIFE'S GREAT EXPERIENCES, HAVIN' A TARANTULA ON YOUR HAND.

FROM SPIDERS TO... >> GIANT, UH, FOREST, UH, WALKING STICKS.

Huell: WALKING STICKS.

>> YES.

Huell: WHICH ARE FOUND WHERE?

>> UH, THESE COME FROM MALAYSIA, THAILAND, INDONESIA.

Huell: WOW.

>> UH, VERY, VERY LARGE WALKING STICKS.

Huell: LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THESE THINGS.

AND THEY REALLY DO LOOK LIKE STICKS.

>> YES.

VERY HARD FOR PREDATORS TO SEE THEM IN THE WILD.

Huell: NOW, DO YOU HAVE PEOPLE-- OH, LOOK AT THESE OVER HERE.

THESE ARE SOME MORE.

THESE STICKS ARE A LITTLE THICKER.

OH, LOOK UP HERE.

>> YEAH.

THESE ARE GIANT CICADAS.

Huell: OH, MY GOSH.

AND WHAT DID-- >> THESE ARE THE BIGGEST CICADAS IN THE WORLD.

Huell: OH, GOSH.

ARE-- THESE AREN'T CALIFORNIA CICADAS, ARE THEY?

>> NO.

AGAIN, THOSE ARE FROM MALAYSIA, THAILAND AREA.

Huell: AND LOOK AT THESE BUTTERFLIES.

LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THIS BUTTERFLY.

>> MM-HMM.

YEAH.

THOSE, UH-- THAT'S A GIANT, UH, ATLAS MOTH FROM ASIA, AND THESE ARE MORPHO BUTTERFLIES FROM, UH, CENTRAL SOUTH AMERICA.

Huell: WOW.

YOU KNOW, JUST DISPLAYING ALL OF THIS IS AN ART, ISN'T IT?

ARE THESE YOURS?

>> YES.

UH-HUH.

Huell: OH, WOW.

I'M SORRY.

I DIDN'T MEAN TO GRAB 'EM LIKE THAT.

>> THAT'S QUITE ALL RIGHT.

Huell: THESE ARE LIKE COLLECTOR'S ITEMS, AREN'T THEY?

>> YES, THEY ARE.

I'M A REAL REGULAR.

I HAVE AN 11-YEAR-OLD IN ME THAT JUST CAN'T STAY AWAY.

Huell: OH, THEY LIKE TO TOUCH THE WORMS.

>> YES, WE DO.

Huell: THEY LIKE TO--WE NEED TO KNOW.

DR. SUE, COME ON OVER HERE.

WHAT DID THIS LITTLE BABY JUST TOUCH HERE?

>> SHE TOUCHED A SILKWORM, A LITTLE LARVA, CATERPILLAR THAT'S GOING TO GROW UP TO BE A SILK MOTH.

Huell: WOW.

>> AND THEY'RE ONE OF THE SOFTEST THINGS YOU COULD EVER FIND ON EARTH, AND SO MOST OF MY STUDENTS JUST LOVE JUST PETTING THEM.

Huell: CAN I TOUCH--CAN I-- >> PLEASE COULD I PUT ONE ON YOUR HAND?

Huell: SURE.

>> I'M GONNA PUT A NICE BIG JUMBO ONE HERE.

Huell: BECAUSE THERE'S AN ETIQUETTE TO THE WAY YOU PICK 'EM UP, ISN'T IT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

GENTLY, BUT FIRMLY.

Huell: GENTLY, BUT FIRMLY.

>> AND THEN YOU LET THE SILKWORM HOLD ON TO YOU, AND THEN IT WAVES ITS HEAD, SAYING, "HEY, WHERE'S MY BREAKFAST?

I WAS EATING."

Huell: LOOK AT THIS.

>> LOOK AT THAT.

Huell: OH, YEAH.

SEE, THIS IS GREAT, SO THEY'RE NOT AFRAID OF BUGS AND WORMS AND... >> EXACTLY.

SHE LOVES 'EM.

Huell: YEAH.

IT'S KIND OF ALL THE WAY THAT THEY'RE BROUGHT UP AS CHILDREN, ISN'T IT, THE-- WHAT THEY'RE TAUGHT TO BE AFRAID OF... >> I AGREE.

Huell: AND WHAT THEY'RE TAUGHT TO RESPECT.

>> IT'S TRUE.

SHE--AND SHE LOVES ALL LIVING THINGS AS A RESULT.

Huell: BOY, THIS THING IS REALLY... >> THAT IS SO COOL.

Huell: HOLDIN' ON TO ME.

I THINK I MAY HAVE THIS ONE FOR THE DAY.

>> IT WOULD-- Huell: IT'S REALLY HOLDIN' ON.

>> IT WOULD.

IT REALLY DOESN'T WANNA FALL OFF, BECAUSE IT DOE-- IF IT DOES FALL OFF THE TREE, IT'LL STARVE TO DEATH, 'CAUSE THEY DON'T--THEY'RE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO CLIMB BACK UP.

Huell: LOOK AT THIS.

>> YOU TAKE YOUR FINGER AND JUST PET IT ON THE TOP, MICHAEL.

>> VERY GENTLE.

>> ISN'T THAT SO SOFT?

Huell: OH, BOY.

NOW, KEN DENTON, AKA BUTTERFLY MAN, WAVED US OVER HERE TO HIS LITTLE BOOTH OVER HERE BECAUSE YOU WANTED TO POINT SOMETHIN' OUT HERE, KEN.

>> WELL, I'M ALWAYS WINGING IT, AND YOU KNOW, OVER HERE WE HAVE THE CALIFORNIA DOGFACE BUTTERFLY.

YOU TALK ABOUT CALIFORNIA GOLD, HERE IS THE OFFICIAL STATE BUTTERFLY.

Huell: THE OFFICIAL... >> THE OFFICIAL STATE BUTTERFLY OF CALIFORNIA, CALLED THE CALIFORNIA DOGFACE BUTTERFLY.

THAT'S THE REAL McCOY.

Huell: NOW, HOW DID IT BEC-- HOW DID IT BEAT OUT ALL THE OTHER BUTTERFLIES?

>> WELL, THEY WENT TO A FULL SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE.

I BELIEVE IT WAS ABOUT 1974, AND THIS WAS THE BUTTERFLY THAT THEY DECIDED WOULD REPRESENT CALIFORNIA THE BEST OF ALL, AND IT'S BEEN THAT WAY EVER SINCE.

Huell: WELL, OF ALL THE WEIGHTY ISSUES FACING OUR STATE, I'M GLAD THAT THE LEGISLATURE SPENT A DAY DEBATING WHICH BUTTERFLY SHOULD BE OUR OFFICIAL ONE.

>> THAT--I AGREE WITH YOU WHOLEHEARTEDLY.

Huell: BUT HERE IT IS, THE OFFICIAL BUTTERFLY, THE CALIFORNIA... >> DOGFACE BUTTERFLY.

AND IF YOU LOOK HERE, THERE'S A LITTLE DOG LOOKIN' TO THE RIGHT, AND LOOKIN' TO THE LEFT, YOU GET A SILHOUETTE, IF YOU WILL, OF A--OF A LITTLE DOG'S FACE, AND SO THEY CALL IT THE DOGFACE BUTTERFLY, AND THAT'S THE OFFICIAL BUTTERFLY... Huell: YOU LEARN SOMETHIN' NEW EVERY DAY HERE AT THE BUG FAIR.

NOW, WHAT ARE YOU STANDING IN LINE TO BUY HERE?

>> LUNA MOTHS.

Huell: LUNA MOTHS.

>> LUNA MOTHS ARE--EAT OFF OF THE GUM TREE, AND THEY'RE A GREEN MOTH THAT ARE ABOUT THIS BIG.

Huell: WELL, LET'S SEE IT.

>> WELL, WE'RE GONNA GET IT RIGHT HERE.

Huell: OH, IT'S RIGHT IN THERE.

OH, MY GOSH.

HOW DID YOU ALL GET SO EXCITED ABOUT THAT PARTICULAR MOTH?

>> HE IS OUR BUG EXPERT.

Huell: HOW DID YOU BECOME A BUG EXPERT?

>> I JUST GREW UP THAT WAY.

Huell: IT'S JUST SOMETHIN' THAT GRABBED YOU EARLY ON IN LIFE.

YOU KNEW YOU LIKED BUGS.

>> YEAH.

Huell: AND HAD YOU SAVED UP YOUR MONEY?

IS THIS--HOW-- HOW EXPENSIVE-- >> HE'S BEEN SAVIN' UP FOR 6 MONTHS TO COME HERE.

Huell: YOU'RE KIDDING.

>> AND THEN HE'LL START SAVING FOR THE NEXT ONE.

Huell: WOW.

>> THAT'S--THIS IS HIS THING.

HIS ROOM IS FULL OF BUTTERFLIES IN FRAMES, AND HE'S GOT THE RIKER CASE, HIS--HE'S GOT THE-- THE BIG, GLASS BOXES.

I FORGET WHAT THEY'RE--CORNELL BOXES.

Huell: YEAH.

>> HE--THIS IS HIS THING.

HE CAN TELL YOU ANYTHING YOU WANNA KNOW.

Huell: WELL, CONGRATULATIONS.

WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

>> PHILIP.

Huell: NICE TO MEET YOU, PHILIP.

WE'RE GONNA WATCH YOU GET YOUR MOTH HERE.

>> IF I DON'T-- Huell: SO THERE IT COMES.

OH, LOOK.

CAN YOU HOLD THAT OUT HERE SO WE CAN SEE IT?

>> WE DON'T WANT IT TO TAKE OFF.

Huell: NO, NO.

YOU DON'T WANT IT TO BE FLYIN' AROUND.

LOOK AT THA-- >> THIS IS A LUNA MOTH.

THIS IS ACTIUS LUNA.

THEY OCCUR EAST OF THE ROCKIES.

THEY DO NOT EAT AS AN ADULT, OK, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO--THEY'RE VERY EASY TO TAKE CARE OF.

UH, THEY'LL LIVE ABOUT 3 TO 4 WEEKS MAXIMUM.

Huell: WELL, WAIT A MINUTE.

THIS IS ONLY GONNA LIVE 3 TO 4 WEEKS.

>> I DON'T REALLY CARE.

I JUST LIKE TO ENJOY THEM.

>> THIS IS NATURE'S PARTY ANIMAL.

THEY'RE ONLY HERE FOR ONE REASON.

Huell: TO PARTY.

>> IT'S--IT'S--YES.

THIS IS A CHILDREN'S SHOW, RIGHT?

Huell: TO--TO REPRODUCE.

>> TO REPRODUCE.

THAT'S THE ONLY THING THEY'RE HERE FOR.

OK, THIS IS THE FINAL END OF THE CATERPILLAR.

Huell: WOW.

>> REPRODUCE, PROPAGATION OF THE SPECIES.

Huell: WELL, THERE IT IS.

YOU'RE GONNA TAKE IT HOME.

YOU GET TO KEEP IT FOR 3 WEEKS.

IT'S GONNA REPRODUCE, AND THEN IT DIES.

>> AND THEN HE'LL FRAME IT.

Huell: AND THEN HE'LL FRAME IT.

>> RIGHT.

HE'LL PIN IT AND FRAME IT.

>> THEN HE'LL FRAME IT.

THAT WAY, YOU HAVE IT FOREVER.

Huell: YEAH.

CONGRATULATIONS.

THIS IS A BIG DAY.

NOW, HE'S LOOKIN' AT BUGS THAT AREN'T REAL.

>> IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE TO HIM.

HE JUST TAKES IT ALL IN.

REAL, NOT REAL-- HE LOVES BUGS.

Huell: MOLLY IS THE BAT LADY.

>> YES, I'M THE BAT LADY.

Huell: ALL RIGHT.

NOW, YOU'VE GOT THE CORNER ON BATS HERE AT THE BUG FAIR TODAY.

GET ME EXCITED.

AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN A BAT UP CLOSE BEFORE.

NOW, THAT IS SOMETHIN' TO SEE.

>> YES, IS A--IT'S EXCEPTIONAL.

EVERY YEAR, WE TRY TO GET SOMETHING DIFFERENT FOR CHILDRENS AND ADULTS ALIKE SO THAT WE CAN TEACH THEM ABOUT BATS AND THEIR HABITATS AND ALSO WHAT'S A--BATS ARE GOOD FOR.

Huell: WOW.

THAT'S A BIG BAT.

>> YES.

THESE ARE WOLF BATS.

Huell: WOLF BATS.

>> MM-HMM.

Huell: WHERE ARE THEY FOUND?

ARE THEY IN CALIFORNIA?

>> WELL, SOME OF THESE ARE IN CALIFORNIA.

THERE'S DIFFERENT FAMILIES ARE IN CALIFORNIA, BUT THIS PARTICULAR ONE COME FROM EASTERN JAVA, INDONESIA, SO... Huell: WOW.

HOW HARD IS IT TO GET THESE ANIMALS, THESE BATS INTO OUR COUNTRY?

>> WELL, IT IS, UH... Huell: YOU HAVE TO HAVE A SPECIAL PERMIT... >> YES, YOU DO HAVE... Huell: BECAUSE ARE TH-THEY'RE NOT ENDANGERED, ARE THEY?

>> THEY'RE NOT ENDANGERED, BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE, UM, A WILDLIFE PRESERVATION TYPE OF AN--UM, PERMITS TO HAVE--TO COME IN.

Huell: 'CAUSE WE DON'T WANNA DO ANYTHING BAD TO ANIMALS ALL OVER THE WORLD.

>> THESE ARE ALL--RIGHT.

EVERYTHING THAT COMES IN HERE HAS TO BE, UM, PERMITTED, AND THE MUSEUMS, YOU KNOW, THEY--THEY'RE WELL KNOWN NOW FOR, UM, THE BATS.

Huell: YEAH.

ALL RIGHT, WE GOT BATS.

IT'S ONE THING TO LOOK AT BATS, BUT LOOK AT THIS.

>> THESE ARE VAMPIRE BATS FROM... Huell: VAMPIRE BATS THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY... >> BUY.

Huell: BUY.

YOU ALREADY PREPACKAGED, SHRINK-WRAPPED, READY TO TAKE HOME.

>> YES.

THEY'RE ACTUALLY AIR-DRIED SO THAT--AND IT'S WELL PRESERVED.

YOU CAN KEEP THESE FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS OR SO.

Huell: WELL, WHAT DO PEOPLE WANNA DO WITH A BAT?

WOULD YOU BUY A BAT?

DO YOU WANNA TAKE A BAT HOME?

>> I--I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR A BAT RIGHT NOW, BUT YEAH, SURE.

I'D BUY A BAT.

Huell: YOU WANT A BAT?

>> HMM... Huell: I DON'T THINK SO.

NOW, THIS IS A SURPRISE.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN MY LIFE, MOLLY.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKIN' AT?

>> THESE ARE FLYING DRACOS FROM EASTERN JAVA AS WELL.

WE HAVE THE RED TYPES AND THE YELLOW TYPES, AND THEN-- Huell: FLYING WHAT?

>> FLYING DRACOS.

THEY'RE FLYING DRAGONS.

THEY LEAP FROM TREE TO TREE.

Huell: THEY LEAP FROM TREE TO TREE.

>> RIGHT.

THEY LEAP FROM TREE TO TREE, SO THEY DON'T USUALLY, UM, GO DOWN ON--ON THE FLOOR, ON THE FOREST FLOOR.

Huell: WOW.

THESE ARE THE STRANGEST-LOOKIN' THINGS I'VE EVER SEEN.

>> YES.

THEY LOOK VERY, UM, ODD, BUT THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL.

GORGEOUS COLORS.

THOSE ARE ALL NATURAL COLORS.

Huell: JOSH IS LOADED DOWN WITH WHAT, JOSH?

>> UH, THIS IS A WHITE-ARMED AFRICAN MANTIS.

Huell: UH-HUH, AND WHAT'S IN HERE?

>> UH, THIS IS AN A-ARIZONA UNICORN MANTIS.

Huell: WOW.

AND WHAT DID-- WHAT HAVE YOU GOT IN THERE?

>> THAT'S JUST FOOD FOR 'EM.

Huell: SO YOU'RE REALLY INTO THIS, AREN'T YOU?

>> YEAH.

I COME HERE EVERY YEAR FOR THIS STUFF, SO... Huell: AND DO YOU HAVE A WHOLE BIG COLLECTION AT HOME?

>> NOT REALLY.

I JUST--I COME HERE ANNUALLY AND JUST BREED THEM, SO... Huell: SO YOU'RE BREEDING MANTISES.

>> YEAH.

Huell: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?

>> I THINK IT'S GREAT.

HE PROBABLY HAS QUITE A COLLECTION.

Huell: BECAUSE YOU ALL ARE JUST STARTIN' OFF, AREN'T YOU?

>> OH, YEAH.

Huell: YOU'RE STILL INTO BUTTERFLIES.

>> WE'RE BEGINNERS.

Huell: SO WHO KNOWS WHERE THIS COULD GROW IF YOU KEEP COMIN' BACK EVERY YEAR.

>> EXACTLY.

IT--IT-- SKY'S THE LIMIT.

Huell: YEAH.

IT STARTS WITH THE 3 BUTTERFLIES HERE.

>> OH, I GOT-- >> NO, MOTHS.

>> I GOT A COUPLE AT HOME.

Huell: OH, YOU'VE ALREADY GOT SOME AT HOME.

>> AND HE'S GOT A BIG ONE.

HE'S GOT A BIG, GIANT, UM, MOTH.

Huell: OH, WOW.

>> IT'S CALLED THE ATLAS MOTH.

Huell: SO THIS IS A WHOLE FAMILY PROJECT.

>> OH, YEAH.

IT'S--IT'S QUITE AN EVENT EVERY YEAR HERE.

THE KIDS LOVE IT, AND THE--THE PARENTS LEARN A LOT, TOO.

Huell: YEAH.

>> MM-HMM.

WE LEARN A LOT.

Huell: WELL-- >> AND WE GOT SOME MOTHS RIGHT HERE... Huell: UH-HUH.

>> IN THE BOX, AND T--THESE TWO ARE MINE'S, AND I THINK THIS ONE'S MATT'S.

Huell: OH, SO THESE ARE FOR YOU?

>> YEAH.

Huell: OH, WOW.

IT'S A WH-- IT IS THE WHOLE FAMILY INVOLVED IN THIS.

>> MM-HMM.

THAT'S RIGHT.

Huell: WHAT DOES MOM GET OUT OF THIS?

>> EDUCATION.

Huell: OH, BOY.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKIN' AT HERE?

>> THESE ARE SEA WORMS.

Huell: SEA WORMS.

>> WONDERFUL.

Huell: NOW, YOU ALL JUST GOT HERE.

>> WE SURE DID.

WE DIDN'T EXPECT THIS.

Huell: YOU DIDN'T EXPECT SOMETHIN' LIKE THIS?

>> NO, WE DIDN'T, AND I DIDN'T EXPECT HER TO HOLD THEM.

Huell: WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

YOU THOUGHT SHE'D BE AFRAID?

>> YES.

Huell: YOU'RE NOT AFRAID, ARE YOU?

NO.

BOY, IF SHE'S NOT AFRAID OF THE SEA WORMS, YOU'RE IN FOR A LOT OF EXPERIENCES IN HERE TODAY.

>> TELL ME ABOUT IT.

Huell: THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING.

>> THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING.

YOU WANNA GIVE HIM BACK HIS SEA WORMS?

NO?

YOU HAVE TO GIVE 'EM BACK.

Huell: SHE'S GONNA TAKE 'EM HOME.

>> DON'T.

WE'RE NOT TAKIN' WORMS HOME.

LOOK AT THIS.

THIS IS-- NO, YOU CAN'T KEEP THEM.

Huell: NOW, WHAT ARE WE LOOKIN' AT OVER HERE?

WHAT HAVE WE BOUGHT TODAY?

>> WHAT IS IT, NATALIE?

>> UM, A KISSING HOCKROACH.

>> A HISSING COCKROACH.

Huell: A HISSING COCKROACH.

CAN WE HOLD IT?

>> YOU WANNA HOLD IT?

WE CAN-- Huell: CAN YOU PUT IT IN MY HAND?

>> YES.

HE'S KIND OF SQUIGGLY, SO HERE WE GO.

Huell: UH-OH.

>> HERE WE GO.

>> OH, MY GOSH.

OH.

OH.

>> HERE WE GO.

Huell: DO YOU WANNA HOLD IT?

>> YES.

SHE LOVES TO HOLD IT.

YOU WANNA--PICK IT UP.

THERE WE GO.

Huell: WOW.

>> THERE WE GO.

Huell: NOW, THIS IS KIND OF INTERESTING TO SEE.

SHE'S SO INTO THIS.

>> HER MOM AND DAD ARE WONDERFUL NATURALISTS, AND THEY HAVE TAUGHT HER EVERYTHING.

Huell: NOT TO BE AFRAID.

>> RIGHT.

THEY--THEY PICK UP WORMS.

THEY HUNT--THEY DO WONDERFUL THINGS.

Huell: AND YOU'RE OUT WITH THIS-- >> I'M GRANDMA.

Huell: YOU'RE GRANDMOTHER.

SO NOW YOU'RE GONNA TAKE 'EM BACK HOME WITH A HISSING COCKROACH.

Huell: THANKS, GRANDMA.

>> THANK YOU.

BYE.

Huell: NOW, THAT IS A LOOK OF TOTAL AND COMPLETE FASCINATION.

>> IF WE SAW THIS GUY AT HOME, I WOULD BE RUNNIN' SO FAST FOR A BIG SHOE SOMEWHERE, BUT HE SEEMS TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH IT, SO THAT'S COOL.

Huell: YEAH, BUT YOU SEE, NOW THAT'S HOW YOU'VE CHANGED THE WAY YOU--YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

>> I THINK IT'S REALLY ALL ABOUT THE CONTEXT HERE.

AS LONG AS WE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE AROUND THAT SEEM TO--SEEM TO THINK IT'S OK THAT WE'RE HOLDIN' THESE GUYS, THEN IT'S FINE WITH ME.

Huell: YEAH.

HE'S FASCINATED BY THIS THING.

>> HE'S REALLY SURPRISING ME.

WHEN HE SEES AN ANT IN THE HOUSE, HE TURNS AND GOES THE OTHER WAY, SO THIS IS A BIT OF A BREAKTHROUGH FOR HIM.

Huell: YEAH.

ALL RIGHT, NOW THIS IS PUSHIN' THE ENVELOPE RIGHT HERE.

YOU KNOW THAT, DON'T YOU?

>> UM, YES, PROBABLY.

Huell: YEAH.

I MEAN, THIS THING LOOKS FAIRLY--THIS IS NOT SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE WOULD WANT CRAWLING ON THEIR ARM.

>> UM, PROBABLY NOT.

Huell: IS THAT A CENTIPEDE?

>> IT IS.

IT IS A BLUE RING CENTIPEDE.

Huell: AND ARE THEY POISONOUS?

ARE THEY DANGEROUS?

>> THEY--THEY ARE VENOMOUS, BUT THIS ONE'S NOT REALLY PARTICULARLY BAD.

Huell: LOOK AT THIS THING.

BOY, IT JUST COMES RIGHT--OH, MY GOSH.

IS THAT A BIG CENTIPEDE?

>> I-IT'S ABOUT MEDIUM SIZED.

Huell: PEOPLE MUST FREAK OUT WHEN THEY SEE THIS.

>> SOME PEOP-- Huell: WHO WANTS TO HOLD THE CENTIPEDE?

NOT A SINGLE PERSON... >> I-I'LL HOLD HIM.

Huell: PUT THEIR HANDS UP.

>> IT'S PROBABLY NOT A GOOD IDEA.

>> IT BITES RANDOMLY.

Huell: WHAT?

>> HE--HE KNOWS BETTER THAN ANYBODY.

>> IT--IT RANDOMLY BITES PEOPLE, SO SHE'S ONE OF OUR GROUP MEMBERS, SO IF IT BITES HER, IT'S NOT AS BIG OF A DEAL.

Huell: YEAH.

IF IT BITES ONE OF THEM... >> THEN IT'S A BIG DEAL.

Huell: IT'S A LAWSUIT.

>> YEAH.

SO--AND, UH, THE LONGER SHE'S OUT AND THE WARMER SHE GETS, THE MORE LIKELY SHE IS TO BITE.

Huell: I'M MOVIN' AWAY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SO MUCH FOR THE CENTIPEDE.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO PRAYING MANTIS?

>> WE SEE 'EM IN OUR HOUSE ALL THE TIME WHEN I'M WORKIN' IN THE YARD, AND, UH, LIKE I WAS TELLIN' THE LADY HERE, YOU KNOW, SHE SAYS THEY MAKE GREAT PETS, AND NEVER EVEN REALIZED IT.

Huell: WAIT A MINUTE.

PRAYING MANTIS MAKE GOOD PETS?

>> ABSOLUTELY THEY DO, BECAUSE, UH, PEOPLE HAVE THIS IMAGE THAT THEY'RE FEROCIOUS, BUT ACTUALLY THEY'RE ONLY FEROCIOUS WHEN THEY EAT.

Huell: MM-HMM.

>> AS PETS, THEY'RE REALLY DOCILE.

THEY JUST KIND OF SIT AROUND.

Huell: BUT HOW COULD YOU HAVE A PET PRAYING MANTIS?

>> YOU KNOW WHAT?

WE GOT OURS AS A FLUKE.

MY BOYFRIEND BROUGHT THEM HOME ONE DAY, AND I WAS SCARED TO DEATH.

I SAID, "GET THAT THING OUT OF HERE."

AND HE GOES, "NO, NO, NO.

WATCH.

WATCH."

ONE DAY, HE JUST STARTS LETTING HIM WALK AROUND ON HIS ARM, ALL OVER HIS ARM, AND THEY LOVE PEOPLE.

Huell: NOW, THIS IS A TEENY, TEENY, TEENY--IS THIS A BABY?

>> THAT'S A BABY BORN THIS YEAR IN APRIL.

Huell: AND WHAT WOULD PEOPLE DO, TAKE THIS HOME AND-- >> UH-HUH.

TAKE THIS HOME.

PRAY--PLAY WITH IT.

THEY HOP AROUND.

WATCH 'EM GROW.

THEY GROW UP TO ABOUT 3 AND 4 INCHES.

Huell: YOU'RE THE GRANDMOTHER, AND YOU WERE TELLIN' ME THAT YOUR GRANDSON KNOWS EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT THESE BUGS.

>> YES, HE DOES.

Huell: TELL ME SOMETHIN' ABOUT THE BUGS.

>> UM, THEY'RE NOT--THEY'RE NOT SPIDERS, AND SPIDERS HAVE 6-- THEY HAVE 8 LEGS, AND THEY'RE NOT INSECTS.

Huell: SPIDERS AREN'T INSECTS.

>> AND THEY--AND SCORPIONS ARE NOT INSECTS, EITHER, BECAUSE THEY HAVE, LIKE, THIS LEGS.

Huell: THIS MANY LEGS.

>> YEAH.

THEY HAVE THAT MANY LEGS.

Huell: BOY, HE DOES KNOW, DOESN'T HE?

>> YES, HE DOES.

HE DOES.

Huell: WHERE DOES HE LEARN THAT?

>> WELL, MOM AND POP ARE BOTH, UH, TEACHERS, AND THEY BUY A LOT OF VIDEOS AND A LOT OF THE NATURE, UH, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC THINGS.

Huell: YOU BETTER WATCH HIM.

HE'S--HE'S GOT HIS EYE ON SOMETHIN'.

>> OH, YES, HE DOES.

HE LOVES TO TOUCH THEM ALL.

Huell: YOUR SON IS STANDING HERE TOTALLY INTO THIS.

>> [CHUCKLES] HE'S SO EXCITED ABOUT COMING HERE, AND THE FIRST THING HE DID--DOES IS RUN INTO A BIG, GIANT BUG LIKE THAT.

HE'LL--IT'S SOME MEMORIES THAT'LL LAST A LIFETIME FOR HIM.

Huell: SO HE'S BEEN TALKIN' ABOUT THIS.

>> OH, YEAH.

HIS TEACHER, WHO IS SOMEWHERE NEARBY... Huell: YEAH.

>> HAS TOLD HIM, UH, TIME AND TIME, WE HAVE TO COME SEE THE BUGS, AND HE'S EXCITED ABOUT EATING A BUG AND HOLDING A BUG AS HE'S DOING NOW.

ALTHOUGH I'M A LITTLE APPREHENSIVE.

I'M WATCHING HIM.

[LAUGHS] BUT GOOD FOR HIM.

GOOD FOR HIM.

Huell: IT'S OK. >> I SEE THAT.

I SEE THAT.

Huell: YEAH.

>> HOW DOES IT FEEL?

>> UH, FEELS GOOD.

>> IS THAT A SCORPIO?

Huell: IT FEEL PRETTY GOOD?

>> NO.

Huell: WHAT ARE WE LOOKIN' AT?

>> WE'RE LOOKING AT A GIANT AFRICAN EMPEROR SCORPION.

Huell: OH, MY--NOW, LISTEN.

SCORPIONS, YOU SHOULDN'T BE HOLDIN' THE SCORPION, SHOULD YOU?

>> GENERALLY, NO.

AS A RULE OF THUMB, YOU SHOULDN'T HOLD ANY SCORPIONS, BUT THESE ARE A COMMON PET-STORE VARIETY.

UH... Huell: SO HAS IT BEEN DEFANGED?

HAS IT BEEN... >> OH, NO, NO.

Huell: DEPOISONED?

>> NO.

DE-DE--WELL, THERE'S NO FANGS ON THIS, BUT THEY GOT A TELSON HERE, THIS LITTLE STINGER HERE O-ON THE END.

Huell: LOOK AT THIS THING.

>> AND, UH... Huell: THAT STINGER'S ALL CURLED UP AND READY TO STING.

>> YEAH, YOU DO--GENERALLY DON'T WANNA REMOVE ANY STINGER OR ANY FANG FROM SPIDERS OR STINGERS FROM SCORPIONS, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY NEED TO SURVIVE.

Huell: SO HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT THIS--HERE.

LADIES.

TAKE A CLOSE LOOK.

HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS ISN'T GONNA BITE?

OH, LOOK.

>> IT'S GREEN.

Huell: HOW DO YOU-- >> NOW, WHAT I'M USING HERE IS AN ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT.

THEY HAVE A SPECIAL PIGMENTATION IN THEIR EXOSKELETON THAT CAUSES THEM TO GLOW UNDER U.V.

Huell: WOW.

>> OR BLACK LIGHT.

Huell: LOOK AT IT.

I HOPE THE CAMERA CAN PICK THAT UP.

IT'S GLOWING.

>> YEAH, GROWS--GLOWS BRIGHT-- BRIGHT, UH, GREEN.

Huell: PEOPLE ARE FASCINATED BY SCORPIONS, AREN'T THEY?

>> YEAH.

THEY'RE A MYSTERY.

THAT'S WHY.

Huell: YEAH, WELL, JUST THE NAME "SCORPION."

>> SCORPION, IT'S A COOL-- SCORPIO, IT'S THE--THE COOLEST ZODIAC SIGN.

Huell: YOU GOT YOUR DAUGHTER IN ONE HAND AND BUGS IN THE OTHER.

>> BUGS IN THE OTHER.

Huell: CAN I OPEN THIS UP?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

Huell: OH, BOY.

YOU HAVE GOT BUGS.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKIN' AT HERE?

>> UH, BEETLES.

Huell: SO ARE YOU A BEETLE MAN?

>> UH, I AM A BEETLE MAN, UH, BEETLE AND BABIES.

Huell: BEETLE--BEETLES AND BABIES.

SO HOW DID YOU BECOME A BEETLE MAN?

>> UM, I JUST THINK THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL.

THEY'RE AMAZING, SO I'VE ALWAYS LOVED 'EM, AND-- Huell: AND HOW DO YOU DISPLAY THESE?

>> UH, MY WIFE'S GONNA PUT TOGETHER AN ARTISTIC FRAMING AND PUT IT ABOVE OUR MANTEL.

Huell: SO YOU'RE GONNA HAVE BEETLES OVER THE MANTEL.

>> MM-HMM.

WE WILL.

Huell: THEY JUST MADE A PURCHASE.

>> THEY JUST MADE A PURCHASE.

Huell: WHAT'D YOU BUY, BOYS?

>> I GOT A GOLDEN STRIPED TARANTULA.

Huell: A GOLDEN STRIPED TARANTULA.

AND WHAT DID YOU GET?

>> I'M ABOUT TO GET A RED KNEE TARANTULA.

Huell: OH, WOW.

NOW, WHO'S THE BIGGEST BUG-- >> I AM.

>> WELL, WE BOTH LIKE REPTILES AND BUGS.

WE DO A REPTILE SHOW FOR, LIKE, PRESCHOOLERS.

Huell: OH, REALLY?

YOU'RE ALREADY PUTTIN' ON SHOWS FOR YOUNGER KIDS.

>> YEAH.

SO WE'RE JUST GETTING SOME, UH--SOME SPIDERS AND SOME COOL STUFF FOR THE KIDS.

Huell: YEAH.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

IT'S EXCITING TO SEE THEM EXCITED AT THEIR AGE, ISN'T IT?

>> IT--IT IS, AND WE HAVE A HOUSE FULL OF REPTILES.

Huell: WHAT KIND OF REPTILES?

>> UH, I GOT A RED TAIL BOA, A BALL PYTHON, A CORN SNAKE, A DUMPY TREE FROG, AND 2 RED-EYED TREE FROGS.

Huell: IN YOUR HOUSE.

>> YES.

>> I HAVE A BEARDED DRAGON, 2 DUMPY TREE FROGS, A FLAT ROCK SCORPION, AND A CHILDREN'S PYTHON.

Huell: OH, MY GOSH.

YOU ALL ARE INTO-- >> YEAH.

Huell: INTO THIS, AREN'T YOU?

>> YEAH.

WE LO--WE HAVE A PASSION FOR REPTILES.

IT'S-- IT'S FUN.

Huell: ADELIA IS STANDING HERE WITH HER... >> SCORPION.

Huell: WITH HER PET SCORPION.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

Huell: MOM, WHEN YOU ALL ARRIVED AT THE BUG FAIR TODAY, DID YOU KNOW THAT THIS PURCHASE WAS GONNA BE MADE?

>> UM, I KNEW THAT THERE WOULD BE PURCHASES.

I DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD BE THIS ONE.

Huell: A SCORPION.

>> A SCORPION.

Huell: HAD MONEY BEEN SAVED OVER THE YEAR FOR THESE PURCHASES?

>> HOW MUCH MONEY DID YOU BRING WITH YOU TODAY?

>> $92.

Huell: SO YOU BEEN SAVIN' UP ALL YEAR?

>> UM, WELL, I SAVED UP A LOT MORE, BUT YEAH, I BEEN SAVIN'.

Huell: JUST TO BUY SOMETHIN' LIKE THIS SCORPION.

>> YEAH.

I WAS PLANNING ON A HORSE, BUT THEN I CHANGED MY MIND.

Huell: WHAT HAVE YOU GOT HERE?

>> ACTUALLY THIS GUY IS, UH-- IF WE CAN FIND HIM.

Huell: I CAN'T EVEN SEE ANYTHING IN THERE.

>> THERE HE IS.

HE'S RIGHT UP HERE.

HE'S A NYMPH ASSASSIN BUG.

Huell: WAIT A MINUTE.

A WHAT?

>> A NYMPH ASSASSIN BUG.

RIGHT, FELIX?

Huell: A NYMPH... >> A NYMPH ASSASSIN BUG.

Huell: ASSASSIN BUG.

>> MM-HMM.

Huell: AND WHAT DO THEY DO?

>> UM, THEY ASSASSINATE THEIR PREY.

>> WE HAVE A CURLY-HAIRED TARANTULA.

Huell: A CURLY-HAIRED TARANTULA.

>> UH-HUH.

IT'S LIKE-- >> WE GOT HER WHEN SHE WAS THAT BIG, AND NOW SHE'S THIS BIG.

>> YEAH.

Huell: HOW MUCH BIGGER IS SHE GONNA GET?

>> I THINK SHE MIGHT GET ABOUT THAT BIG.

Huell: WOW.

AND THIS IS OK?

>> OH, YEAH.

IT'S OK WITH ME, AS LONG AS IT'S IN THEIR HOUSE, NOT IN MINE.

I'M THE GRANDMA.

>> AND IT--WE HAVE TO, LIKE, KEEP HER AWAY, LIKE PUT AWAY, 'CAUSE WE HAVE CATS ALSO IN THE SAME HOUSE.

Huell: THOSE TARANTULAS AND CATS DON'T REALLY... >> NO, THEY DON'T.

>> ONE TIME, I TOOK HER OUT IN THE BATHROOM, AND SHE ALMOST WENT DOWN THE SHOWER DRAIN.

>> YEAH.

Huell: OH, MY GOSH.

>> YOU DIDN'T TELL ME THAT, SARAH.

Huell: SO IT'S KINDA--YOU HAVE TO REALLY BE ON YOUR TOES TO HAVE A TARANTULA AROUND THE HOUSE.

>> YEAH.

>> KINDA.

>> AND, UM-- Huell: DOES SHE HAVE A NAME?

>> YEAH, HER NAME IS SALLY.

SHE ISN'T REALLY EATING THE CRICKETS RIGHT NOW, SO WE THINK SHE'S GONNA MOLT SOON.

Huell: NOW, WE'VE BEEN SEEING ALL THESE EXOTIC BUGS AND BATS AND BUTTERFLIES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, BUT WE'VE GOT OUR OWN L.A. BUGS, DON'T WE?

>> YEAH, WE'VE GOT A SURPRISING DIVERSITY HERE.

PEOPLE WOULDN'T EXPECT IT.

Huell: AND YOU'VE GOT A WHOLE ORGANIZATION.

>> YES.

Huell: WHAT IS THIS CALLED?

WHAT IS-- >> S.C.A.B.I.E.S.

IS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ARACHNID, BUG, INVERTEBRATE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Huell: BOY, THAT JUST ROLLS RIGHT OFF THE TONGUE.

>> YEAH, IT'S SO SMOOTH.

>> AND YOU GET A LOT OF PEOPLE EXCITED ABOUT LOCAL BUGS, DON'T YOU?

>> YEAH, 'CAUSE PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, YOU GROW UP HERE, AND YOU GROW UP IN THE CITY, YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW THAT WE HAVE NATIVE TARANTULAS, SCORPIONS, GIANT CENTIPEDES, THINK--THINGS THAT YOU THINK ONLY GROW UP IN THE TROPICS.

Huell: OUR OWN L.A. CENTIPEDES.

>> OUR OWN L.A.--OUR OWN L.A. CENTIPEDES.

Huell: OUR OWN L.A. SCORPIONS.

>> OUR OWN L.A. SCORPIONS.

DEFINITELY.

YEAH.

Huell: OUR OWN L.A.--THAT'S NOT A LOCAL TARANTULA.

>> UH, IT'S--IT'S OFF OF THE I-5.

IT'S LOS ANGELES COUNTY, DEFINITELY.

Huell: WELL, WE'RE ENDIN' UP BY HOOKIN' BACK UP WITH BRENT, THE BUG MAN, AND, BRENT, I GOTTA TELL YOU WE HAVE HAD AN AMAZING DAY, BECAUSE NOT ONLY HAVE WE SEEN A LOT OF BUGS AND TOUCHED A LOT OF SPIDERS AND ALL OF THAT SORT OF THING, BUT WE'VE MET A LOT OF NICE PEOPLE, YOUNG AND OLD, WHO REALLY HAVE A GREAT INTEREST IN AND A HEALTHY RESPECT FOR... >> YEAH.

Huell: BUGS.

>> AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT, YOU KNOW.

WE'RE OUT THERE, TOO, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DO RESPECT THOSE LITTLE CRITTERS THAT RUN ACROSS THE SIDEWALK AND DON'T JUST WANNA STEP ON 'EM WHEN THEY SEE 'EM.

THERE'S ACTUALLY SOME SORTS OF INTEREST THERE.

Huell: SO IS THAT WHAT THIS THING IS REALLY ALL ABOUT, TO JUST--YOU KNOW, INCREASE OUR AWARENESS, RESPECT FOR BUGS?

>> SURE, AND THAT'S WHAT WE DO HERE AT THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM.

WE TAKE NATURAL HISTORY, WE EXHIBIT IT IN A WAY THAT WILL HOPEFULLY GET PEOPLE A LITTLE BIT MORE INTERESTED IN THE WORLD AROUND THEM, AND GET THEM TO OBSERVE THE STUFF AROUND THEM, AND THAT'S WHAT THE BUG FAIR IS, UH, ABOUT.

Huell: WELL, IT'S AN ANNUAL EVENT.

>> YES, EVERY YEAR, 3rd WEEKEND IN MAY.

Huell: LOT OF THESE KIDS SAVE UP THEIR MONEY ALL YEAR ROUND TO COME HERE TO BUY BUGS.

>> YEAH.

THEY'VE HAD THAT-- THE VISION OF THAT BUTTERFLY IN THEIR HEAD ALL YEAR, AND NOW THEY'RE HERE TO FINALLY GET IT.

Huell: OR THAT TARANTULA OR THAT SCORPION.

>> OR THAT MILLIPEDE OR CENTIPEDE.

YOU BET, AND IT'S ALL HERE.

Huell: WOW.

IT IS ALL HERE.

A LOT OF POSITIVE ENERGY HERE.

I'M WORN OUT.

YOU STILL GOT A DAY AND HALF OF THIS TO GO.

>> OH, WE'RE GONNA DO THE BEST WE CAN TO MAKE IT.

Huell: BUT THESE BUGGY PEOPLE... >> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE GOOD NEWS IS AT THE END OF THE WEEKEND, I GET TO HIDE MYSELF IN THE CREVICE SOMEWHERE LIKE A COCKROACH AND JUST HIDE OUT UNTIL NEXT YEAR.

Huell: HE'S BEEN AROUND BUGS WAY TOO LONG.

THANKS A LOT.

>> THANK YOU, HUELL, SO MUCH FOR COMING.

Huell: WE HAVE HAD A WONDERFUL DAY HERE AT THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY... >> YOU GOT IT.

Huell: AT THEIR ANNUAL BUG FAIR.

IT'S BUGGY, ALL RIGHT, BUT IN A VERY GOOD WAY.

[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION AND FRIENDS OF NCI] >> VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.

[CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE --www.ncicap.org--]