The UNL Entomology Department is integrating its 2022 BugFest annual open house into the East Campus Discovery Days and Farmer's Market on Sat., Aug. 13, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This change is being made after BugFest 2020 was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and BugFest 2021 was held virtually to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
"BugFest 2022 will be held in conjunction with the final East Campus Discovery Days of the summer," said Dr. John Ruberson, Department Head for the Entomology Department. "This will be the first live offering of BugFest since 2019, so this is pretty momentous."
This is the second year for the East Campus Discovery Days and Farmer's Market, which offers booths along the East Campus Mall. Since Entomology Hall is located at 1700 East Campus Mall, it made sense to combine the two events, according to Dr. Doug Golick, associate professor of Entomology and this year's BugFest coordinator.
Visitors will learn about Nebraska insects, bee biology, and drawing insects. There will also be booths and tables featuring the department's Insect Zoo, Nebraska insects (including the Salt Creek Tiger Beetle), Invasive Insects, Mosquitoes - Good or Bad, Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches, the UNL Bee Lab (honey bees), Ticks Tag Go, Plant-Insect Interactions, and Artwork inspired by Insects. The Entomology Department's Lawrence Bruner Club graduate students will be at the welcome table.
BugFest is to designed to appeal to learners of all ages who love insects or science. This free event is an opportunity to learn from entomology students, faculty and staff.
Parking is available at the East Campus Recreation Center, north of Entomology Hall, and east of the Dairy Store.