PICAYUNE – Mississippi State University’s Crosby Arboretum in Picayune will be crawling with activities at the annual Bugfest Sept. 17 and 18.

The family-friendly event will include collecting, identifying and mounting insects for display; bug-themed crafts and games; and educational seminars on various insects and collecting techniques. The Bugmobile from the New Orleans Audubon Zoo will be featured Saturday afternoon, with presentations at 1 and 2 p.m.

“Bug Chef” Zack Lemann from the Audubon Insectarium will make a special appearance at this year’s event. At 10 a.m. on Saturday, he will hold a cooking demonstration and serve up treats such as chocolate chirp cookies and crispy Cajun crickets.

Activities begin Friday when preregistered school groups collect insects from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. From 2 to 6 p.m., all visitors may collect on their own. Insect identification and mounting assistance will be available on the Pinecote Pavilion. On Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Buggy Midway will open, offering bug-themed crafts and games for all ages.

Night collection activities will begin at dusk Friday. Participants are asked to bring a flashlight or headlamp. Crosby Arboretum will setup collecting sheets with black lights and sodium vapor lights to attract insects. Friday’s activities end at 10 p.m.

Events continue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and include self-guided insect collecting, roach races, Lemann’s cooking demonstration, Buggy Midway activities and short seminars.

The cost to attend on Saturday is $5 for adults and $2 for children. A limited number of supplies, such as insect pins, will be available for purchase at the Pinecote Pavilion.

For more information on Bugfest, contact Pat Drackett at (601) 799-2311 or visit http://www.crosbyarboretum.msstate.edu. A condensed version of the MSU Extension Service 4-H entomology manual to use for insect collecting can be downloaded from the program calendar web page.

Writer: Karen Templeton