Beetles Among Stars of Arcadia Insect Fair

When asked to comment on the nature of God, English geneticist J. B. S. Haldane is said to have observed that God must have had “an inordinate fondness for beetles,” referring to the fact that there are almost 300,000 species of beetles worldwide.

Over 40 exhibitors will display living and preserved insects from throughout the United States, including members of the ubiquitous beetle family, at the Third Annual Lorquin Entomological Society Insect Fair from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Los Angeles State and County Arboretum in Arcadia.

Visitors can view local and exotic insects of all sizes, shapes and kinds, watch demonstrations and purchase or exchange specimens, books and other materials throughout the event. Call (818) 446-8251.

ASTRONOMY

Novas, pulsars, quasars and black holes will be some of the unusual astronomical phenomena explored in the El Camino College Planetarium show at 8 p.m. on Friday and March 31 at the Torrance campus. Call (213) 715-3200.

The world of the dinosaurs and possible reasons for their extinction will be the topic of the feature show at the Santa Monica College Planetarium at 8 p.m., Friday and April 7, 14 and 21, following the Night Sky Show at 7 p.m. Call (213) 452-9223.

SCIENCE FOR KIDS

Children can learn about the ancient Mayan civilization and its contribution to the development of the modern calendar in “El Sabio de Chichen Itza/ The Wise Man of Chichen Itza.” The production of the Los Angeles-based Bilingual Foundation of the Arts will be presented at the Southwest Museum’s Casa de Adobe at 1 p.m. on March 25. For reservations or information call (213) 221-2164.

MARINE SCIENCE

Biologist Rachel Saunders will discuss the history, current status and future prospects for the California sea otter at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, at the Cabrillo Marine Museum in San Pedro. For reservations or information call (213) 548-7563.

NATURAL SCIENCE

The Joshua Tree National Monument will be examined in a series of events this week, Friday through Sunday, at the Palm Springs Desert Museum. A symposium on the natural and human history of the region will be held Saturday from 10 a.m to 3:30 p.m. The desert ecosystem will be the focus of a UC Riverside extension class and field trip this weekend, Friday through Sunday. The events are scheduled in conjunction with the museum exhibit on the monument. For reservations or information call (619) 325-7186.

ORNITHOLOGY

David White of the Los Angeles Audubon Society will lead a trip to the Whittier Narrows Regional Park to learn about and identify the birds of the area at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Participants should meet at the Nature Center. Call (213) 876-0202.