November 2, 2026

Inspecting insects: SVSU’s Insect-A-Palooza returns

Event encourages understanding of bugs

a young woman crouches in front of little girl to show off an insect

Saginaw Valley State University will be crawling with visitors when the popular Insect-A-Palooza returns on Saturday, Nov. 7. Guests of all ages will get a close-up look at the tiny creatures that make a big impact on our world. This free community event will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Groening Commons in Curtiss Hall on the SVSU campus, 7400 Bay Road, University Center.

Hosted by SVSU’s Department of Biology, Insect-A-Palooza will feature live displays, hands-on activities and interactive exhibits that explore unique aspects of entomology, the study of insects. The aim of the event is to promote greater understanding of insects and to dispel myths and misconceptions about them.

Jorge Paredes-Montero, SVSU assistant professor of biology, has designed Insect-A-Palooza to enable SVSU students to engage with the community while building research, communication and presentation skills that will serve them in college and in their careers.

Highlights include:
Butterfly and Moth Life Cycle: live caterpillars and a walk-in butterfly tent
Bugs for Brunch: samples of nachos with mealworm toppings
Hiss-terical Cockroaches: get up close with Madagascar hissing cockroaches and cheer them on at the racetrack
Sting Ouch-O-Meter: find out which stings hurt the most
Build-a-Bug: design, name and “release” a custom insect into a virtual environment
Fantastic Bugs and Where to Find Them: a petting-zoo style station featuring some of the largest bugs in the world, including a giant African millipede
Backyard Vampires: explore mosquito biology
Live Honeybee Hive: honey tasting and beeswax candle making
Mason Bee Hotels: hands-on habitat building

In addition, the Chippewa Nature Center and Saginaw County Mosquito Control will also have information available at the event.

Insects are the most diverse group of organisms on earth and have been present for about 350 million years. Learn more about these often-overlooked and -misunderstood creatures at Insect-A-Palooza. For more information visit: https://super-bugs.weebly.com/insect-a-palooza.html.