Ant Lab
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Come visit the Evolutionary Biology & Behavior Lab, also known as Ant Lab on YouTube! Learn about our research, the entomology videos we make, and meet some of the researchers and insects that inhabit the lab.
BASF – We Create Chemistry
BASF Corporation
Welcome to BASF – where we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Visit our displays, learn about crop protection and how we also protect health and home. While you’re here, show your support for pollinators and come see our live monarch butterflies!
Beautiful Bugs! Mixed Media Painting Demonstration
Stacy Lewis Studio
Stacy Lewis will be demonstrating mixed media techniques to create colorful, textured paintings of butterflies, dragonflies and other artistic arthropods.
Beekeeping and Honey Bee Education
5 County Beekeepers Association
The 5 County Beekeepers Association (5CBA) is a volunteer club that promotes beekeeping and honey bee education. We are a chapter of the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association.
Bug Crafts!
Mayhem Magnolia
There will be space and materials to sit and color bug pictures, read bug books, or learn to crochet a bug! Handmade invertebrate stuffed animals will be available to purchase.
Bugs and Biomimicry: How Bugs Inspire Human Design
Leigh Aultman, Biomimicry Educator
Learn how nature can inspire sustainable designs by exploring the fascinating world of insects’ adaptations.
Bug-Themed Hair Accessories
Erin Alicia Studio
You will find handmade bug-themed hair accessories for girls of all ages. Featuring bugs like butterflies, spiders, and spider webs.
Butterfly Metamorphosis: Up-Close and Personal
Science Learning Resources, Inc.
A children’s book incorporating microscopic observations of the Painted Lady Butterfly life cycle will be available for viewing and sale. The story line involves playful anthropomorphic expressions of the mind of the organism at different stages of metamorphosis.
Buzzing Hives: Unveiling the World of Beekeeping
Wake County Beekeepers Association
Step into the fascinating world of beekeeping and discover the secrets of these
industrious pollinators. Explore our exhibit to learn about the art of beekeeping,
witness the process of honey production, and get up close with common
tools such as bee suits, smokers, and hive frames used by beekeepers to nurture
and protect their buzzing companions.
Caterpillarology
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Come see and learn about the amazing variety of caterpillars found in North Carolina and the plants they like to eat. See crazy-looking caterpillars like monkey slugs, spicebush swallowtails, and (hopefully, if we’re lucky enough to find one) an imperial!
Children’s Books & Science Kits
PaperPie
Find fun and educational children’s books, puzzles, games, and science kits from Usborne Publishing, Kane Miller Publishing, and SmartLab Toys!
Exploring the World of Butterflies
Heritage High School FFA Chapter
Enjoy crafting with fun butterfly finger crafts and colorful butterfly clips, perfect for kids and adults.
Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Wake County
Gardening advice for homeowners and insect activities for the young.
Paint Savvy Face Painters
Paint Savvy
Paint Savvy provides elaborate but quick face painting and airbrush tattoos. Creative and custom work to meet the theme! Fee.
Bug Bites! Bite Them Before They Bite You! (5pm-7pm)
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Come join us for a meet-and-eat! See bugs cooked right before your eyes and sample some delicious buggy treats.
Café Insecta
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Celebrate entomophagy (bug eating) at Café Insecta! Sample bug-filled dishes prepared by local chefs and vote on your favorite dish! 10:30am-3pm (or while supplies last).
Forest Insects – Native and Invasive
NC State Forest Health Lab
Make your own button while learning about native and invasive insects affecting the health of our forests.
Insect Photography and Electronics
Entomopixel
Application of photography and electronics in the appreciation, education and investigation of insects.
Jewelry from Nature
Copper Ashes
I make copper jewelry that incorporates crystals, shells, organics, and real ethically sourced bones, crab shells, and insects (dragonflies, cicadas, butterflies, moths, bees, and whatever I happen to find). All these things are encased within the copper through the process of electroplating and turned into wearable art.
Lepidopteran Collections
Naturalist Center, NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Come view a spectacular collection of butterflies and moths! What can we learn from these collections? Why are these specimen collections so important? We’ll have Insect pinning demos so you can learn how to start your own collection.
Lepidopteran Jewelry!
Stacy Lee Gallery
Butterflies, moths & beetles, oh my! We have wings from all the things, set as earrings or pendants. Come find out how insect farming helps conserve the rainforest and pick up a new statement piece.
Lepidopterans of the Eno
Eno River Association
Learn about the many moths and butterflies that live around the Eno River and rely on it for their survival!
Lifestyles of the Small and Squishy: Caterpillars with Strange Habits
City of Raleigh
Leaf-mining insect larvae live in the tiny, thin space inside a leaf and gall-making insects make controlled tumors on their plants, living inside and getting fresh food and shelter. In this exhibit, live and preserved leaf-miners, gall-makers, and other crazy larval lifestyles will be on display (including moths, flies, and other arthropods).
Mesmerizing Insect Photos
William Fisher Photography
Close-up photos of insects and lots of insect jewelry.
Museum Membership
Friends of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Purchase or renew your membership at BugFest or online September 1–14 with code “Butterfly24” and receive a free BugFest T-shirt on the day of the event!
Native Butterflies and Bees of NC
NC State Pollinator Researchers
Learn about the native butterflies and bees of North Carolina and meet some of these amazing pollinators up close!
NC State Arthropod Zoo
NCSU Entomology Graduate Student Association
Entomology graduate students from NC State will bring live arthropods, pinned specimens, and will be selling bug-themed merchandise.
NCDA&CS Structural Pest Control and Pesticide Division
Meet the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Structural Pest Control and Pesticide Division. Our Mission is to protect public health, safety and welfare, and the environment; support continued availability of stable, high-quality supplies of food, fiber, and forest products as it relates to pest control, pesticides, and bedding manufacturing and sales.
Pollinators and Pests
Center for Integrated Pest Management
Adult butterflies and moths are important pollinators of flowering plants in wild ecosystems and managed systems such as parks and landscapes. However, their larvae require host plants and may be a serious pest in the garden and food production.
Quiet Space
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Our quiet space is an area where visitors can take a break from the events and activities. This space is sectioned off and available for visitors with anxiety, stress, and sensory overstimulation. Guests are also provided with sensory toys, coloring pages, books, and noise-canceling headphones (upon request). People of all ages and abilities are welcome to take advantage of our quiet space.
Steam Forged Studios
Steam Forged Studios specializes in handmade Steampunk, Fantasy, Pirate, Anime, and Sci-Fi items. We also produce many styles and sizes of Beaded Spiders.
Watch Your Savings Grow!
State Employees Credit Union
Our booth will consist of a variety of bug-fest related youth financial education materials, highlighting the growth of your savings.