Celebrating our Centennial
Club members at the 2021 ESA meeting in Denver.
The Popenoe Entomology Club was established in 1921 and is named after professor Edwin A. Popenoe, founder of the entomology program at K-State. Since its inception, the club has provided a forum for students and faculty to discuss insects and insect science.
Today, the club's members engage the public in numerous outreach events to showcase the diversity of insects and their relatives. The club also collects insects for teaching purposes, provides professional development opportunities for its members, and supports students in presenting their research at academic conferences.
"It's an absolute honor to be a part of an organization with such a rich history of insect advocacy," said Cameron Osborne, current club president. "I get a smile on my face when event organizers tell me that 'the bug club' was the biggest hit at their events. I'm so proud of the work that our members can accomplish."
Notably, the club works closely with the K-State Insect Zoo to bring live specimens into the community to engage the public of all ages. The club recently brought activities such as maggot painting, cockroach racing and a millipede petting zoo to the annual Outdoor Kansas Day for Kids event at Tuttle Creek State Park.
For its centennial year, the club has endeavored to conserve the artistic works of acclaimed entomologist Charles Valentine Riley. Riley guest lectured at K-State in the 1870s and many of his artistic works were donated to the university after his death. The club is raising money through donations and merchandise sales to fund the conservation effort.
"These works are over 100 years old and we hope to ensure their beauty for the next generation to enjoy," Osborne said.
Donations toward this project can be made through the Kansas State University Foundation, designated for entomology in the College of Agriculture and noted with "Riley Conservation." The club also sells prints of Riley's works, with a portion of each sale benefiting the conservation effort.