UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Insects will do the entertaining and a good portion of the education during the Great Insect Fair, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept 12, in Penn State’s Snider Agricultural Arena, located at 800 E. Park Ave., State College.
Staff and faculty from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, along with Penn State University Libraries, the Eberly College of Science, and the Arboretum at Penn State will be on hand to explain the behaviors and characteristics of various insects found within the commonwealth and answer questions from visitors of all ages.
An annual favorite is the insect zoo, which features live insects that can be viewed and held. Visitors can also learn about backyard bees, honey tasting, bumblebees, insect craft construction and vector-borne diseases such as those spread by ticks.
Vendors will be on hand selling a variety of insect arts and crafts, books and T-shirts, and insect-themed face painting will be available. Penn State Extension Master Gardeners and representatives from Pennsylvania 4-H also will be present.
“The Insect Fair is intended to be fun and interactive for people of all ages,” said Tanya Renner, associate professor of entomology. “The event is a great opportunity to highlight the Department of Entomology and the importance of insects in our world.”
This year’s featured mascot insect is the Appalachian snaketail dragonfly, which is native to Pennsylvania and is a member of the dragonfly family that is harmless to humans.
Insects will be live and static, depending on the exhibit and the information being presented. Several pinned insect exhibits will be on display, furnished by the Frost Entomological Museum.
Penn State Extension resources also will be available, and extension educators will help answer questions. Representatives from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation — a nonprofit that promotes education and conservation related to invertebrates and their habitats — will also be attending.
“We’re looking forward to an educational event with a strong focus on insects that are native to Pennsylvania,” said Michael Skvarla, director of Penn State’s Insect Identification Laboratory. “Attendees will be able to experience for themselves how honey from different plants tastes different and learn how to protect themselves from ticks, mosquitoes and other biting pests.”
For more information on the free event, contact the Department of Entomology at entomology@psu.edu.