[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Marvinopendooorsevent08.jpg” caption=”Marvin Gunderman, technical coordinator in the Department of Biology, showed guests a praying mantis. Photo by Melyssa Morris. “]Did you know that a Madagascar hissing cockroach hisses to protect itself from hungry mice? Were you aware that a tarantula will squash like a tomato if it is dropped? Or that praying mantis' legs have spikes to capture prey and hold it in place?

These are just some of the interesting facts learned from a visit with Marvin “The Bug Man” Gunderman during the recent Doors Open McMaster event series.

Gunderman, technical coordinator in the Department of Biology, is well-known on campus for his enthusiasm and knowledge of the insect world. On a tour of his lab, Gunderman invited guests to overcome their fear of insects by gaining a better understanding of them through interaction.

“I tried to dispel the attendees' anxiety and loathing of insects by showing off the bugs' natural colours, patterns, symmetry and exquisite adaptations in order to reveal their unrecognized pulchritude,” said Gunderman. “I did this by using a looping power-point presentation augmented with live insects and some boxes of pinned insects.”

Participants were able to interact directly with Madagascar hissing cockroaches and a local praying mantis. A live tarantula was also on display. Gunderman dispelled some common myths and answered attendees' questions about the insects in the lab and those found at home.

“There has been a lot of positive feedback from those who attended the events,” said Jenny Thomson, development officer with the Office of Alumni Advancement and an organizer of the event series. “Those who visited with Marvin enjoyed learning about the insects and most people were brave enough to hold the praying mantis or the cockroaches.”

Other Doors Open McMaster events included tours of the Print Studio in the School of the Arts, the David Braley Athletic Centre and Ron Joyce Stadium, and the Centre for Simulation-Based Learning, and an interactive demonstration of simulated trading at the Allen H. Gould Trading Floor.

Doors Open McMaster affords those within the McMaster community the opportunity to visit fascinating spaces on campus and is part of this year's Community Campaign fundraising initiative.

The Community Campaign Committee will also host a February and March event series of Doors Open McMaster. Details will be available shortly on the Daily News.

For more information on the Community Campaign, please visit: http://www.mcmaster.ca/ua/alumni/community_campaign.html.