Walnut Creek Preserve Speaker Series: Bugs in Motion – Filming Insects to Appreciate Biodiversity & Advance Science

Date: May 16, 2026

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Location: Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve

Speaker: Dr. Adrian Smith, Head of the Insect Behavior Research Lab at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and faculty of the Department of Biological Sciences at North Carolina State University

Arthropods and insects are some of the most inspiring and incredible creatures that live right outside (and sometimes inside!) our door. But because of their small size and cryptic lifestyles, it can be hard to see and appreciate what they do. As a research scientist and a media maker, Dr. Adrian Smith works to visualize, study, and tell the stories of these creatures. During this presentation, he’ll show some of his work filming the behaviors of things like trap-jaws ants, beetles, moths, springtails, and more. His goal is to illuminate the lives of animals to both advance research science but also create new ways of appreciating our own local biodiversity.

Dr. Adrian Smith is the Head of the Insect Behavior Research Lab at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and a faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences at North Carolina State University. He is also the creator of the popular YouTube channel Ant Lab.

RSVP is requested below, but not necessary to attend the event! Please join us!

The Walnut Creek Preserve Speaker Series programs are made possible thanks to our partnership with the Preserve.

*Walnut Creek Preserve is private property and guests are only allowed on the property by invitation (a planned event or scheduled group).  Thank you.

Contact Pam Torlina, pam@conservingcarolina.org, with questions or for more information.