AMES, Iowa – Community members are invited to come learn about insects of all kinds during Bug Village ’22.
Hosted by Iowa State University’s Insect Zoo, two separate events will take place Saturday, Aug. 27. An open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Advanced Teaching and Research Building, 2213 Pammel Drive, on campus. During the open house, participants can get hands-on with bugs, create insect art, watch roach races, learn about pollinators, talk with scientists about their work, and more. Free parking is available in general staff parking lots 30, 33 and 35 near ATRB.
Later in the evening, an insect light collecting event will take place from 6-10 p.m. at Carr Park, near the intersection of Carr Drive and Meadowlane Avenue in Ames. Those taking part in this event are asked to wear bug spray and to bring jars in which to collect bugs. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
“We are so excited to bring back our Bug Village open house event. We will have over 100 species of living arthropods on display with lots of hands-on learning opportunities for the public,” said Ginny Mitchell, Insect Zoo education program coordinator. “Roach races are always a fan favorite, and we can’t wait to get those roaches back on the racetrack. We have some of the best plant pathology, entomology and microbiology faculty, staff and graduate students helping spread the bug love.”
Both events are free and open to all ages. For more information, contact Mitchell at zoo@iastate.edu.