Bugfest offers a variety of ways to interact with arthropods.
Each year, thousands of arthropod enthusiasts crowd the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh to celebrate the 6-, 8-, 10- or more-legged creatures that we all either love or love to hate.
Recently added to Trip Advisors’ list of “Top Ten Wacky U.S. Summer Events,” BugFest has it all: exhibits, bands, games, scientific talks, an insect eating café … anything goes! The only certainty about BugFest is that you will not be alone. The event boasts about 35,000 visitors each year.
We’ll be there, too. This year, insects affecting North Carolina trees will be featured in a display by the N.C. Forest Service and the NCDA&CS Plant Industry Divison. The dangers of moving firewood and the threat invasive insects pose are imminent and public awareness is a key part to mitigating damages. Explore these threats with us and play a role in protecting our state’s forests.
In addition to this display, the movie “Bugged: The Race to Eradicate the Asian Longhorned Beetle” will play at 11 a.m., and there will be several presentations on forest insects throughout the day.
Save the date! This year, BugFest will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21. To learn more about BugFest, including a schedule of events, go to www.bugfest.org.