From insect mimicry — when insects pretend to be another creature to avoid being eaten — to insect idioms, like the meaning behind the phrase “bee’s knees,” the Whittier College Bug Club is never short of discussion topics for its biweekly meetings. The group can also be found at social events on campus throughout the year, sharing Poet pride and insect tidbits.
Students don’t have to be members to benefit from the club’s education. See a bug that you don’t recognize? Take a picture and send it in. Members post the picture on social media, accompanied by fun facts, and submissions are encouraged. The club’s popularity is why it recently won a Social Media Engagement Award.
Bug Club President Emily Perez-Medina ’26, a biology major who created a Whittier Scholars Program minor about insects and arthropods and their role in society, founded the club last year. She loves the bold jumping spider and she hopes to pursue a graduate education and career as an entomologist. “I am a huge advocate for supporting the little guy,” Perez-Medina said, adding that she’s seen people overcome their fears because of the club.
“Insects don’t really get the reputation they deserve. This club is reducing the stigma of insects being gross, scary, or dangerous, because they do a lot more for the environment than we think.”
To learn more about the club, visit @wcbugclub on Instagram or email bugclub@poets.whittier.edu.