What are some of the most challenging things you've done as a Hollywood "bug wrangler"?
Figuring out how to make a spider walk over to a quarter starting from four feet away- in one try! I've also had to make a cockroach run across the floor and then flip over on its back.
I've always been interested in insects and spiders. At four years old, I started collecting fireflies. This interest hasn't changed: Today, some of my favorite activities include tending my butterfly garden and inventing insect traps.
In college I studied entomology, then earned a graduate degree in biology, specializing in entomology, insect behavior, and ecology. I have had many jobs as an entomologist, from teaching and writing to serving as a radio personality and working to promote environmental awareness. I am also what's known as a "bug wrangler," or insect consultant, for many commercials and Hollywood films. Some of my projects have included working with spiders on the set of Arachnophobia and mosquitoes in Jurassic Park.
What I like best about my work is that I get to solve problems and go on all kinds of adventures. My real passion is studying and trying to improve the environment. To study the Earth, one must be close to it and cherish the value of life—and that includes insects!
Web Links
To learn more about my research, visit my Web site at:
