Reimagining the role of native landscapes in science education and research

Miridae Living Labs aims to promote the crucial ecological role of native arthropods and plants through hands-on mobile science education, “living lab” gardens throughout the region, California native arthropod propagation, and an on-site insectarium. We seek to encourage native arthropod communities in human-occupied ecosystems and regional conservation goals. Our vision is a world in which cities are cohabitated by humans, native plants, and native arthropods and where local observation of plants and arthropods serves as an accessible, equitable, and engaging launchpad into stem education for people of all communities, while advancing scientific research. Miridae Living Labs is, and will always be, an evolving mission as we adapt to the needs and wants of the communities we serve while we mature as an organization. We are always open to new ideas and collaborations! If you have suggestions about new directions, niches in need of filling, or feedback to help us grow, please don’t hesitate to reach out and chat with us — we’d love to hear from you.

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Battus philenor - found in North America and Central America, but the population in central & northern California is special! It is an isolated population (subspecies B. philenor hirsuta), meaning it isn’t able to breed with individuals in
We love Miridae Mobile Nursery events! Come swing by and check out our mobile microscope. #nativeplants #californianativeplants #canativeplants #nativesoil #grownative #grownativeplants #Sacramento #Sactown #California #cagrown #wildlifecorridor #b
Spring means baby animals, and that includes baby insects! This small friend is a bush katydid nymph (immature form) on a California poppy in our garden at the @sierra2center in Curtis Park. . . . . . #kaydid #bushkatydid #orthoptera #tettigoniidae #
Syrphids and snapdragons at the Miridae Mobile Nursery today! . . . . . . . #miridae #miridaelivinglabs #californiainsects #californianativeinsects #nativeplants #californianativeplants #californianativewildflowers #syrphidae #syrphid #hoverfly #beef
Even though it LOOKS like a bee, this insect is actually playing an April Fools joke on you: it’s a FLY! Hover flies are flies in the family Syrphidae. They are called hover flies because they’re often seen hovering almost motionlessly in
Most people see a gross jar of bugs… we see a whole bunch of DATA!! Can’t wait to keep collecting post-sheep-fertilization to see what insects our wooly friends help attract. (See previous post for more information about our monitoring p
Sheep! We’re collaborating with @ucdavis_sheepmowers to learn about how the presence of grazing sheep impact insect diversity. Swipe to learn about the project and how our malaise trap works. Can’t wait to dig into the data! #sheepmowers
We’re so excited for this great event this weekend! Miridae Living Labs and the Miridae Mobile Nursery will be at Z Specialty Foods’ The Hive for Nature Day! Come swing by this fun event, enjoy the beautiful spring weather, and learn abou