PHILADELPHIA, July 12, 2016

Bug Fest, the annual festival that celebrates insects of all kinds with hundreds of live critters, roach races, bug walks, and even insect-tasting, will be held Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 13 and 14, at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.

Hundreds of live beetles, millipedes, centipedes, scorpions, stick insects, caterpillars, tarantulas, and more will be wiggling around the museum during this popular family event. Visitors will be able to help build a beehive, examine insect decomposers up close, work on a giant termite mound and meet Academy entomologists who can share their stories of life in the field.

Cajun Chef Zack Lehmann will cook some tasty buggy dishes during a 1 p.m. show both days and will give out samples of his famous Chocolate Chirp Cookies and fried insect treats.

Bug Fest is the perfect opportunity to learn the science behind the headlines and talk with the experts about mosquitoes and invasive (and sometimes destructive) species including lanternflies and ash borer beetles. Some live invaders and also specimens from the Academy’s research collection of more than 4 million insects will be on display.

Bug Fest, sponsored by Western Pest Services, takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Discount tickets are available at ansp.org. Here are some more activities:

• Examine spider webbing up close and meet the live spiders that spin it.
• Cheer your favorite cockroach to the finish line in the Roach Race 500.
• Make a bee beard mask to take home.
• Meet a bedbug sniffing dog and learn how dogs do their job.
• Look for bugs outside with an Academy entomologist.
• See insects magnified on the big screen in the Live Invertebrate Stage Show.

For images, visit the Academy’s Press Room.

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