Local families will get to have fun and learn about crawly critters during the annual UF/IFAS Bug Week Scavenger Hunt set for 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 20. The event will be held at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

Admission is free, and all children will receive souvenirs. The first, second and third place winners will receive special prizes.

“This year, our goal is to help families learn about invasive species and how they affect the environment and economy,” said Beverly James, UF/IFAS director of public relations. “The Bug Week website features lots of information on invasive species and how, sometimes, other insects are used to control them. So, not only will families learn about insects, but they will also have the opportunity to spend time together in a fun activity.”

During the scavenger hunt, participants will be given five clues that lead them to displays where an insect, spider or other arthropod appears. Each clue comes with a question that can only be answered by visiting the display.

In addition, the UF/IFAS department of entomology and nematology will present a Bug Zoo. The zoo features insects in glass enclosures, and children will have the opportunity to hold them and learn about them.

Bug Week is the University of Florida’s annual celebration of its entomology program, one of the largest and best in the nation. For more information on Bug Week, visit http://bugs.ufl.edu.

Don’t forget – if you are talking about Bug Week on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, use the official #UFBugs hashtag!

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CAPTION:Children and adults participate in the 2016 UF/IFAS Bug Week petting zoo and scavenger hunt at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

By: Beverly James, 352-273-3566, beverlymjames@ufl.edu

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