
AMES, Iowa – Get your best bug costume or bug-themed outfit ready for the Iowa State University Insect Zoo’s annual Bug Village ’24.
The free event is open to the public and will take place on Saturday, Aug. 24, from noon to 3 p.m., in the Advanced Teaching and Research Building, 2213 Pammel Dr., on the north side of campus.
New this year is a special sensory hour, open only to individuals with special sensory needs, from 11 a.m. – noon. Parents and guardians of individuals with sensory needs will be allowed to attend with them. Following that, the general public will be admitted starting at noon.
Remember those 13- and 17-year cicadas that created a buzz in the news (and in the air) earlier this year? Attendees can sample these edible insects starting at 1 p.m.
Then at 2 p.m., the winners of the Bug Costume Contest will be announced. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places.

With more than 150 species of living arthropods on display and opportunities to learn about bug tracks, bumble bees, milkweed, monarchs and so much more, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
Give insect collecting a try
Following the Bug Village event, Iowa State’s Entomology Graduate Student Organization will lead an Insect Collecting 101 session starting at 3:30 p.m. This will take place in room 1302 of the Advanced Teaching and Research Building.
Participants will learn about various insects they encounter on a daily basis, then have the option to get hands-on with bugs by going out and collecting some.
Admission will be charged for this session. Participants can pay $20 and receive an insect kit, which includes an insect storage box and pins. For those who just want to attend and not receive an insect kit, the fee is $5. Any youth under the age of 18 should be accompanied by an adult.
Individuals are asked to complete the Insect Collecting 101 sign up form before coming to the event.
Contacts
Ginny Mitchell, Insect Zoo, 515-294-4537, gmitchel@iastate.edu
Whitney Baxter, Agriculture and Life Sciences Communications, 515-294-2314, wjsager@iastate.edu