Thousands of families turned out for the annual Great Insect Fair in Penn State’s Snider Ag Arena on Saturday, September 23.
They encountered strange insects they thought only existed in movies, tasted fired waxworms and baked crickets, and learned about the often unseen of insects.
In a starring role
The Great Insect Fair at Penn State is all about hands-on experiences, including the handling some large and exotic insects and arachnids, like this huge cave spider, which may be recognizable to many from the classroom Cruciatus curse scene in the book and movie, “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.”
Chowing down on bugs
Chocolate chirp cookies, sweet and salty squirmies, and Cajun crunchies were on the menu at the Great Insect Fair’s Insect Deli.
Marcus Schneck | mschneck@pennlive.com
Things you didn't know about insects
Organized by the Department of Entomology at Penn State, the Great Insect Fair is aimed at spreading knowledge about the insect world through enjoyable, hands-on experiences.
Marcus Schneck | mschneck@pennlive.com
A galling experience
Theme of the Great Insect Fair this year was “See the Unseen,” which included an exhibit on gall insects, which trick plants into building structures where the insects have protected places to feed and reproduce.
Marcus Schneck | mschneck@pennlive.com
The underwater realm
The diving, dipping and bobbing insects of the water are a perennial favorite among visitors to the fair.
Marcus Schneck | mschneck@pennlive.com
A creepy-crawlie petting zoo
The Insect Zoo brought an array of strange critters from the collection at Penn State’s Frost Entomological Museum into close-up viewing range at the fair.
Marcus Schneck | mschneck@pennlive.com
Exotic creatures
Strange stick insects were among the creatures visitors were able to handle in the Insect Zoo.
Marcus Schneck | mschneck@pennlive.com
Zombie ants
Another new exhibit at the fair this year focused on zombie ant fungus, which is the focus of research at Penn State. The fungus infects ants, taking control of their actions and behavior, and making them into zombies of sorts.
Marcus Schneck | mschneck@pennlive.com
Golden beetles
Amazing, shimmering beetles, including some with golden shells, were among the insects on display at the Great Insect Fair that many visitors had never seen before their visit to the fair.
Marcus Schneck | mschneck@pennlive.com
Carnivorous plants in Pennsylvania
Visitors also were amazed to learn that Pennsylvania is home to several species of carnivorous, insect-eating plants. The Pennsylvania plants are similar to the more familiar Venus fly trap, which is native to North and South Carolina.
Marcus Schneck | mschneck@pennlive.com
Your inner bugYoung visitors to the fair could become insects themselves for photo opportunities at the Shutter-Bug Booth.Young visitors to the fair could become insects themselves for photo opportunities at the Shutter-Bug Booth.
Young visitors to the fair could become insects themselves for photo opportunities at the Shutter-Bug Booth.
Marcus Schneck | mschneck@pennlive.com
Web-slingers
Although spiders are not insects, or even the more commonly known bugs, they share the insect world through a range of interactions as predator and prey. And the Great Insect Fair acknowledged that relationship with some special spider display.
Marcus Schneck | mschneck@pennlive.com
Nope, that's just another poppy seed
Trying to find a minute tick on a poppy seed bagel demonstrated the difficulty in seeing the tiny ectoparasaites, which can transmit disease-causing agents to humans as the ticks feed on blood.
Marcus Schneck | mschneck@pennlive.com
Cafeteria-style insects
Visitors sampled Chocolate chirp cookies, sweet and salty squirmies, and Cajun crunchies at the Insect Deli of the Great Insect Fair.
More about insects
Here are some additional posts about insects:
- Squirm factor rising at Hershey Gardens Butterfly Atrium's new BugZone
- 14 fascinating facts about fireflies
- These are the insects invading your home
- 11 fascinating mayfly facts, including why they swarm City Island and bridges
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