‘Extraordinary Caterpillar’ documentary screening set May 1

Ahead of its native plant sale, Epworth United Methodist will host a screening of “The Extraordinary Caterpillar,” a 60-minute documentary about a key player in the food web, at 6 p.m., Friday, May 1, at the Cinema Art Theater near Lewes.

Produced by Merit Motion Pictures, the film features the work of naturalist Sam Jaffe from the Caterpillar Lab in Dublin, N.H. Jaffe uses macrovideography to magnify weird and wonderful creatures that will inspire people to take a closer look at the hidden worlds in their own yards. 

The film also features Dr. Doug Tallamy, a University of Delaware entomology professor. Tallamy co-founded Homegrown National Park in an effort to restore degraded ecosystems and provide habitats, clean air and water by engaging people in a grassroots effort. Tallamy explains that caterpillars are essential to the food web: A single chickadee nest requires 6,000 to 9,000 caterpillars for the baby birds to survive their first two weeks of life. Many landscape practices unwittingly limit the food supply and disrupt the life cycles of these very necessary creatures. 

The screening will be followed by a discussion with entomologist Michael Valenti, director of Abbott's Mill Nature Center and a global staff member of Delaware Nature Society. Representatives from Delaware Naturally will also participate.

Epworth UMC’s native plant sale is set for 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, May 9, at 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth. 

To learn more about the event, go to rehobothfilm.com.