Terminix and Star Insect Hit the Road for ‘Harry’s Big Adventure’

MEMPHIS, Tenn. –Traveling more than 3,000 miles is a big trip for anyone, but imagine doing it as Harry, a three-inch tall praying mantis.

Harry, the star resident of New Orleans’ newly opened Audubon Insectarium, will begin a three-week journey Oct. 31 when he hits the road for his educational tour titled "Harry’s Big Adventure."

The trip, presented  by Terminix, will take Harry and his multi-legged friends on a four-city tour. Harry’s Big Adventure will give visitors a chance to see, touch and even taste a variety of bugs. Guests will also witness cockroach races and compete in cricket spitting contests. Those who are brave enough will be able to try insect-related dishes prepared by David George Gordon, the world-renowned bug chef and author of “The How to Eat a Bug Cookbook.”

“'Harry’s Big Adventure' will open a lot of people’s eyes to the wonderful world of insects,” said Tom Brackett, Terminix president and chief operating officer. “Insects are fascinating creatures, and our world wouldn’t be what it is today without them. As a company that has always worked to advance the awareness and understanding of insects, we hope that Harry and his friends will give parents and children a new appreciation for nature’s smallest wonders.”      

Harry’s journey will begin Oct. 31 at the Museum of Science and History in Jacksonville, Fla., and will be followed by stops at the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock, Ark., Nov. 7 and 8, the Orlando Science Center Nov. 14 - 17 and will conclude at the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa, Fla., Nov. 20 - 23. 

Harry made headlines earlier this year when he traversed four states in five days as he made his way from Memphis, Tenn., to New Orleans for the grand opening of the Insectarium. Harry was the final insect to enter the Insectarium’s collection, and his journey made him the insect world’s most celebrated bug.

The Audubon Insectarium is a 23,000 square foot facility located in New Orleans’ historic U.S. Custom House. The venue is the largest free-standing museum of its kind in the United States and is the first major attraction to open in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina.

The state-of-the-art facility uses a combination of live insects and engaging exhibits to allow visitors to get an up-close look at some of the ecosystem’s smallest, most important members. Museum highlights include a Japanese-inspired butterfly garden, a witty, multi-sensory movie showing in the Terminix Immersion 4-D theater and much, much more.

Harry’s trip can be tracked at www.harrysbigadventure.com.