Entomologist John Guyton has been making the haul from Mississippi State University in Starkville to the Crosby Arboretum in Picayune for almost 10 years now.
Bugfest, the reason for his annual journey, is a two-day event that focuses entirely on bugs and learning more about them. Guyton, along with another entomologist David Held, started the event.
There are a number of insects on exhibit at Bugfest including, but not limited to the chaco golden knee tarantula, the giant whip scorpion and emperor scorpion. The emperor scorpion, seen under a black light, is a must see as the black scorpion transforms into a powerful glowing blue hue.
Guyton said he makes sure to staff the event with people he knows and trusts to be authorities on entomology.
“I run the world’s oldest bug and plant camp and I bring my campers down here to serve as teachers,” Guyton said. “Breanna started camping with us eight or nine years ago, Matthew started camping with us at the same time. Matthew is in graduate school now. Both of them have won national awards in entomology and they have become quite precocious.”
The camp Guyton runs is 22 years old, and he uses Bugfest, as he refers to it, as a “proving ground” to bring the campers here to practice what they know and reinforce what they’ve learned.
The Mississippi State University Associate Extension Professor is a member of the university’s Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology.
On Friday, local schools and groups of children explored the world of entomology including insect collection and identification along with a myriad of other activities.
In case you missed it on Friday, Saturday is sure to be ripe with fun and excitement starting at 10 a.m.
“We’re gonna do some crazy things tomorrow! We’re gonna have some bugs to eat like crickets. Most of the planet eats bugs—it’s the world’s cusine,” Guyton said.
Entrance fees are $5 for adults and $2 for kids.