Insect Zoo
Please come visit us and see our insect zoo where we feature several groups of both pest and exotic arthropods! You’ll see insects such as the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach and the Giant Cave Cockroach as well as some blood suckers like the infamous bed bug. In the above google 360 degree virtual image you can get a preview of the layout of our zoo as well as see what’s featured by their plaques on the walls.
Featured Groups:
Exotic Cockroaches
We have some of the most interesting cockroaches around ranging from the largest cockroach in the world to those with skull markings on the back of their heads! And not to forget we also have a favorite exotic roach that most know about, the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach.
Exotic Arthropods
Besides just having exotic cockroaches, we also have some exotic insects that are less roach-like. One such thing is the centipede which will always make your skin crawl; but not just any centipede, we have a Vietnamese Centipede which can grow up to almost 8 inches in length and has double that length in creepy legs.
Chihuahua Desert Arthropods
Here we display some common insects of the desert and some you’ll only see very late at night if you were out combing the desert with a black-light (Pssst…..scorpions glow under a black-light). Some of these you may have even seen in your own household such as the Black Widow!
Household Pests
Here we display a variety of insect that just want to crawl into the sheets with you, share some of your food and live under (or in) the same roof as you; and no we didn’t put your significant other on display. I’m talking about the creepy crawlies that old sayings were warning you about (“Sleep tight, don’t let the BED BUGS bite”) as well as a display for the not so home improving Dry-Wood Termites.
Pest Roaches
Lastly we have displays dedicated to the cockroaches most people try to get rid of. Cockroaches you’ll often see scurrying around near trash and those you could’ve sworn you saw out of the corner of your eye. Here you’ll see German Cockroaches who seem to almost double in population size if you look away for an instant as well as the more common reddish black cockroaches that most of you have seen; the Turkestan Cockroach.
Planning a Visit?
- School Group/Field Trip/Large Groups: If you are part a of a school group or large group and plan on taking you’re group to visit NMSU and want to also visit our Insect Zoo please call Belinda in Skeen Hall Office (575-646-1145) so we can prepare for larger groups as well as make sure someone who can tour the group is available.
- Student/Individual: If you would like to see the insect zoo please call the lab to see if we are available or when we will be available to show the Insect Zoo (575-646-4927).
- Professors/Industry Individuals: If you happen to be touring NMSU and found our lab come take a look at our Insect Zoo and if you like we can show you the entire lab as well and what we do here. Please email Dr. Romero (aromero2@nmsu.edu) beforehand as he’ll want to personally tour you around his lab.
Location and Directions
The Urban Entomology Research Center (aka The Romero Lab) is located on Frenger Street next to the sheep barn on the left. Please see the above google image to preview our insect zoo and to obtain directions to our building.
Please Donate Online!
Our lab is funded primarily through donations and any amount would help us greatly in maintaining our lab and insect zoo! Please click here to donate to The Romero Lab or donate through the donations page!
