Arkansas Insect Festival
2026 Arkansas Insect Festival
See • Touch • Learn About Insects & Arthropods
A free for all ages, one‑day family event where visitors discover the value, beauty, and fascinating lives of insects through hands‑on exhibits, live critters, and expert guidance from entomologists.
September 12, 2026 • 9 AM – 3 PM
Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Center, 1335 W Knapp Dr, University Of Arkansas, Fayetteville,
AR 72704
Exhibits and Volunteers
If your organization would like to host an exhibit at the Arkansas Insect Festival, register as a Community Partner Exhibitor using the link below. If you’d like to support the event and help where needed, register at the link below as a general volunteer.
Arkansas Insect Festival 2026 Exhibitor and Volunteer Registration Form
About the Arkansas Insect Festival
The Department of Entomology at the University of Arkansas’s Fayetteville campus began the insect festival as a way to introduce students and others to see, touch and learn about insects and the study of entomology.
Since 1993, the Arkansas Insect Festival has been a biennial event welcoming more than 3,000 community members to explore the world of insects and arthropods. Most visitors spend 1–2 hours enjoying the full range of displays and activities.
The festival is hosted by the:
- Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology
- Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station
- University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
- Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences
What to Expect
- Educational exhibits with expert entomologists
- Fun, interactive activities for all ages
- Live insects, butterflies, and hands‑on learning experiences
Why It’s Special
- Meet entomologists and plant pathologists from across Arkansas
- Interact with live critters in a safe, educational setting
- Enjoy returning favorites like the live cockroach races
- Learn how insects impact food production, the environment, and everyday life
Featured Activities & Community Partners
- Insect Displays
- Live Arthropod Zoo
- Butterfly House
- Cockroach Races (fan favorite—cheer for a Madagascar hissing roach!)
- Honeybee Display (peek inside a live hive)
- Scott Family Amazeum Hands‑On Activities
- Aphids: Plant Vampires!
- Bats & Other Insect‑Eating Animals (Arkansas State Parks)
- Butterflies in the Garden (Master Gardeners)
- Insects of Medical, Veterinary, Agricultural & Forest Importance
- Northwest Arkansas Master Naturalists
- Insects in Culture & the Arts
- Microscope Display
- Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic
- Insect Crafts & Coloring
Arkansas Insect Festival Photo Gallery
Attendance Rules
Contact: Lindsay Hutchins, hutch@uark.edu
