News and Stories

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s World of the Insect opened August 5, 1978, and was the first zoo building in the United States designed and built specifically to display live terrestrial arthropods. More than 45 years later the World of the Insect is regarded as one of the best insect-zoos in the world. It displays a diverse collection of live terrestrial invertebrates, and its staff participates in public engagement, education, and conservation initiatives.

Two entomologists, Milan Busching and Randy Morgan played integral roles in the World of the Insect’s success. We are proud to honor these entomologists with the the Busching/Morgan Invertebrates in Education and Conservation Conference (IECC) scholarship. The scholarship will send an aspiring greater Cincinnati entomologist to the IECC conference.

Applications for the 2024 Busching/Morgan IECC Scholarship will be accepted from Thursday, February 1 – Thursday, February 29, 2024.

The 2024 IECC will be held in Tucson, Arizona July 23 -27.

This conference, held annually in Tucson, AZ brings together people from across the entomological community to experience paper presentations, specialty workshops and field trips that are blended together to create a one-of-a-kind curriculum.

Topics covered typically include (but are not limited to):

• Terrestrial invertebrate husbandry
• The design and operation of insect zoos, butterfly houses and other invertebrate exhibitions
• Education programs that utilize invertebrate animals
• Regulatory issues
• Conservation initiatives and programs that focus on terrestrial invertebrates.

It is our hope that by attending the IECC an aspiring entomologist will have their passion for entomology strengthened, build connections across the entomological community, and identify potential career paths.

The Busching/Morgan IECC Scholarship will cover:

• IECC 2024 registration, one workshop and one field trip
• Round-trip airfare
• Transportation while at the conference
• Lodging at the conference host resort
• A stipend to cover meals

Rules for Application  

Applicants must…

• Be at least 19 years of age at the time of application.
• Have a passion for, and a demonstrable interest in the study, zoological display, educational use and/or conservation of terrestrial invertebrates.
• Live in the greater Cincinnati area.
  • Ohio counties – Hamilton, Butler, Clermont, Warren, Preble, Montgomery
  • Kentucky counties – Boone, Kenton, Campbell
  • Indiana Counties – Switzerland, Ohio, Dearborn
• Submit a letter explaining why they would like to attend the IECC.
• Provide one letter of recommendation.
• Be attending the IECC for the first time.
• NOTE: Scholarship winner is required to submit a report summarizing their experience attending the IECC.

Milan Busching

Milan Busching (1951-2022) was the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s first Curator of Invertebrates, a role he fulfilled from 1977 until 2002. In the 1980’s and 1990’s Milan was considered a leader in the burgeoning insect-zoo field and enthusiasts from across the country and around the world sought out his advice.

Randy Morgan

Randy Morgan was the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Curator of Invertebrates from 2002 until his retirement in 2013 and was a part of the World of the Insect for 32 years. Randy is credited with having wild-collected and working to establish several species in insect-zoo collections including Sunburst Diving Beetles, Giant Jumping Sticks and Peruvian Firesticks.