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Hello, my name is Steven and I am hoping to finally complete my project of the last 18 years! The Scarab Lab will be the exotic beetle breeding division of Beetle Source and will supply permitted zoos and institutions with live beetles.
Currently a vast majority of beetles on display in the U.S. were raised overseas then imported, costing extra time and money. Although some zoos do have a beetle breeding program there is no source for locally reared exotic beetles and I hope to fix that.
Also through my public outreach work under The Beetle Experience I will be able to share many of these beetles with the public.
Funds will be used to make required upgrades to our lab space for our USDA permits and to purchase beetles to work with.
Some of my future goals are:
- Working with Schoolhouse Safari to create a storefront, event space and learning center
- To create exhibit space for exotic and native insects.
- To work with threatened and endangered species of arthropods for study and release. One beetle already on the list are the threatened Hawaiian stag beetles in the genus Apterocyclus
- To partner with universities, zoos or individuals to offer hands-on experience in an insect rearing lab.
Thank you very much for your time and help!
Steven
