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Insect Fair Inspires Future Students

June 29, 2011 By vchomere 1 Comment


University Park, PA (PRWEB) September 15, 2006

Can attending a fair change your life? Possibly, when the fair is an educational extravaganza about the fascinating world of insects, say organizers of Penn State?s The Great Insect Fair.

Sponsored by the College of Agricultural Sciences’ entomology department, the fair is celebrating its thirteenth year. According to Steve Jacobs, a senior extension associate with the entomology department and event organizer, two current students in the department are pursuing careers in entomology as a result of participating in the fair.

Amanda Bachmann, a Ph.D. candidate in entomology, is a native of State College and grew up attending the fair. ?I participated every year, only missing the event while I was away obtaining my undergraduate degree in biology from Case Western,? she says. ?I loved holding the Madagascar hissing cockroaches and playing with the various insects. This year I?ll be returning to the fair as a volunteer, which is very exciting,? Bachmann says.

Another student, Hannah Stout, also became more interested in a career in entomology after attending a fair. ?I?ve always been interested in insects and I?d heard about the fair, but wasn?t able to attend one until 2004,? she says. ?After the fair and seeing what the department was all about, I started on my application essay that night.? Stout, a Ph.D. candidate studying mayflies, has an undergraduate degree in biobehavioral health from Penn State. She lives in nearby Tyrone, Pa.

?Bugs Bite?, the theme of this year?s The Great Insect Fair, the fair takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 23 in the Snider Agricultural Arena, at the corner of Park Avenue and Fox Hollow Road (across from Beaver Stadium) on the University Park campus. The fair will feature various biting and stinging insects such as bees, fleas, wasps, bed bugs, spiders, mosquitoes and ticks. Visitors will get to watch live-action images of spiders pouncing on their prey, bees stinging other insects and more projected onto a 10-foot screen. ?People are fascinated by insects but are often afraid of being bit. In actuality, very few insects bite or sting. We?re focusing this year?s fair on these biting insects and how to avoid them,? Jacobs explains.

Organizers say fun and interactive events are being planned to appeal to people of all ages:


10-foot-tall Fangs and Stingers ? Being projected live on screen.

IPM/Pesticide Safety Putt Putt – Test your golf skills and pesticide safety knowledge.

Cockroach Races ? A Great Insect Fair favorite is back by popular demand.

Insect Olympics – A series of Olympic “events” including Haulin? Pollen and Grasshopper Hop

Insect Petting Zoo – See and touch many fascinating, live insects from around the world.

Honey Bee Display – See the honey bees dance and sample different types of honey.

Insect Deli – Featuring critter cuisine such as mealworm stir fry and our infamous “Chocolate Chirpies” (chocolate-covered crickets).

Build-A-Bug Contest – Bring your homemade insect for judging and a chance to win prizes (for rules and guidelines, visit Web site http://entscied.cas.psu.edu/BAB.html).

Musical entertainment ? Featuring Tommy Wareham and Tom Baker and other local talent

Children’s games and activities – Kids can enjoy face painting, games and make their own insect hats and puppets.

Insect vendors – Shop for insect pets, insect arts, crafts, books and t-shirts.

The BugMobile! – Learn about insects and integrated pest management while chatting with the one and only talking car.

Ladybug Theatre ? Students from the Delta Program (State College Area High School) perform humorous insect skits.

Admission to the Great Insect Fair is free, although donations will be accepted to help defray costs. Free parking is available at the Snider Agricultural Arena and across Park Avenue behind the Centre County/Penn State Visitor Center. For more information, call the entomology department at (814) 865-1895 or visit the Web at http://entscied.cas.psu.edu/.

EDITORS: For more information, contact the department of entomology at (814) 865-1895.

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Keep Bugs Away the Natural Way with Soyweet Relief Insect Spray from Soy of Life: Highly Effective in Deterring Mosquitoes, Flies, Ticks, Gnats and Other Insects

June 29, 2011 By vchomere Leave a Comment


Plymouth, MA (PRWEB) April 27, 2011

Spring is finally here and Summer is just around the corner. That means the return of beautiful weather and staying outdoors longer for backyard bar-b-ques, boating, the beach or pool, golf as well as other sports and activities. It’s the favorite time of year for many people, however it’s also the time when the insects return in full force. It’s not fun trying to eat corn on the cob or trying to sink that 30 ft putt, while swatting away the mosquitoes at the same time. It’s also not fun or safe spraying yourself with toxic chemicals. Thankfully there’s a highly effective and all natural alternative called Soyweet Relief Insect Spray from Soy of life.

Keep bugs at bay the natural way. Naturally Repelling…Soyweet Relief Insect Spray from Soy of Life nature’s skincare is a safe and effective means of deterring insects. A 100% natural, chemical?free and non-toxic alternative that uses the naturally repelling properties of specific essential oils to stop insects from biting. One of the essential oils is Catnip Oil, which according to a 2001 Iowa State University College of Agriculture study, is said to be 10 times more effective than DEET. We take nature?s finest insect deterrents and combine them with skin loving botanicals to give you a skin softener, antiseptic and insect spray all-in-one. The natural qualities of this product can also help to soothe existing bites, and its antiseptic properties can help prevent infection.

Soyweet Relief Insect Spray is great for kids too. Kids like it because it has a fresh lemony scent, and everyone likes it because of it’s non-greasy formula, which doesn’t leave that tacky feeling on your skin.

So the next time you’re about to enjoy your perfectly grilled hamburgers in your backyard with your family and freinds, spray yourself first with Soyweet Relief Insect Spray for hours of relief from having to swat away at those nasty little bugs.

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“Bugs Bite” at Penn State’s Great Insect Fair

June 29, 2011 By vchomere Leave a Comment


University Park, PA (PRWEB) September 1, 2006

What creepy crawlies can bite, suck, sting, spray, stab and chew? Find out at ?Bugs Bite,? the theme of this year?s Great Insect Fair at Penn State.

Sponsored by the College of Agricultural Sciences’ entomology department, the fair takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 23 in the Snider Agricultural Arena, at the corner of Park Avenue and Fox Hollow Road (across from Beaver Stadium) on the University Park campus.

According to Steve Jacobs, a senior extension associate with the entomology department and event organizer, the fair will feature information and exhibits on various biting and stinging insects such as bees, fleas, wasps, bed bugs, spiders, mosquitoes and ticks. Visitors will get to watch live-action images of spiders pouncing on their prey, bees stinging other insects and more projected onto a 10-foot screen. ?People are fascinated by insects but are often afraid of being bit. In actuality, very few insects bite or sting. We?re focusing this year?s fair on these biting insects and how to avoid them,? Jacobs explains.

Organizers say fun and interactive events are being planned to appeal to people of all ages:


10-foot-tall Fangs and Stingers ? Being projected live on screen!

IPM/Pesticide Safety Putt Putt – Test your golf skills and pesticide safety knowledge.

Cockroach Races ? A Great Insect Fair favorite is back by popular demand!

Insect Olympics – A series of Olympic “events” including Haulin? Pollen and Grasshopper Hop

Insect Petting Zoo – See and touch many fascinating, live insects from around the world.

Honey Bee Display – See the honey bees dance and sample different types of honey!

Insect Deli – Featuring critter cuisine such as mealworm stir fry and our infamous “Chocolate Chirpies” (chocolate-covered crickets).

Build-A-Bug Contest – Bring your homemade insect for judging and a chance to win prizes (for rules and guidelines, visit Web site http://entscied.cas.psu.edu/BAB.html).

Musical entertainment ? Tommy Wareham and Tom Baker, and other local entertainment

Children’s games and activities – Kids can enjoy face painting, games and make their own insect hats and puppets.

Insect vendors – Shop for insect pets, insect arts, crafts, books and t-shirts.

The BugMobile! – Learn about insects and integrated pest management while chatting with the one and only talking car.

Ladybug Theatre ? Students from the Delta Program (State College Area High School) perform humorous insect skits.

Admission to the Great Insect Fair is free, although donations will be accepted to help defray costs. Free parking is available at the Snider Agricultural Arena and across Park Avenue behind the Centre County/Penn State Visitor Center. For more information, call the entomology department at (814) 865-1895 or visit the Web at http://entscied.cas.psu.edu/.

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