Join the 12th annual Hokie BugFest on Oct. 7

Whitney Weaver

22 Sep 2023

A giant vinegaroon, and example of an arthropod you can see at Hokie BugFest! — A giant vinegaroon is one of the many insects at the Hokie BugFest. Photo by Whitney Weaver for Virginia Tech.

Hokie BugFest is a free, one-day festival that celebrates the exciting science of entomology with science, technology, engineering, art, and math activities for all ages.

Highlights include more than 30 exhibits from Virginia Tech labs, local museums, and community groups as well as live arthropods, hands-on science activities, and the Dan Capps Insect Collection.

When: Saturday, Oct. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a special pre-opening from 9 to 10 a.m. for anyone with special needs
Location: Squires Student Center, Virginia Tech's Blacksburg campus

A volunteer shows off a scorpion to an interested attendee — A volunteer shows a BugFest attendee how a scorpion glows under a black light. Photo by James Mason for Virginia Tech.

What's on display

Dan Capps Insect Collection: One of the largest private insect collection in the country, featuring hundreds of pinned specimens from across the globe including walking sticks that measure over 2 feet; goliath, Hercules, and other massive beetles; vibrant butterflies and moths; and more. Several new frames of specimens will be premiered at the event.
Live arthropods from the Hokie BugZoo: View and touch arthropods such as tarantulas, scorpions that glow, blue death feigning beetles, giant hissing cockroaches, whip spiders, vinegaroons, and more.
3D insect images: Attendees will use iPads to manipulate 360-degree views of real insects created by the University Libraries.
4-H Insect Collection Contest: See insect collections entered by young entomologists from around the region. Winners will be announced and ribbons and prizes will be given.