Date: 02/18/09
Contact: C. Douglas Nielsen
Phone: (702) 486-5127, ext. 3500

NEVADA TO GET NEW STATE SYMBOL

Nevada has several state wildlife symbols, but there is not an insect among them. And since the Silver State is one of only eight states that don’t have an entomological representative, some schoolchildren decided that one should be chosen. Thus the Nevada State Insect Contest, currently underway, was created to do just that.

The contest is sponsored by the Truly Nolen Company and school districts throughout Nevada. It is open to students in the fourth grade and GATE (gifted and talented) classes. One entry may be submitted collectively by students in each participating classroom. The class must research and select an insect that is native to Nevada and tell why it would be a good symbol for the state. Teachers submit the entries to their local school district office.

Insects may not be one of the groups of animals that Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) regularly studies, but it is certainly important in the world of wildlife.

According to NDOW supervising Fisheries Biologist Jon Sjoberg, “Insects are an important part of functioning ecosystems and deserve respect.”

In places like the reservoirs at the Kirch Wildlife Management Area in Nye County, insects help stocked rainbow trout grow as much as two inches per month during the wintertime. “Without insects, there would be no fish. Insects are the number one food source for fish, and the main goal of fly-fishers is to attract fish by imitating aquatic insects,” explained Chris Pietrafeso, NDOW angler education instructor. A winning class and insect will be chosen shortly after the contest closes on Feb. 20, 2009. Three students from the winning class will travel to Carson City to testify before a legislative committee. If approved, the representative insect will be introduced to the legislature in a bill drawn up by state Senator Joyce Woodhouse and Assemblyman Lynn Stewart. Senator Woodhouse responded to the original request by some fourth-graders who wanted to know why Nevada had no state insect.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a Federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.