Ozark Bug Crawl Gears Up for Fifth Anniversary Celebration

The Ozark Bug Crawl is back for a fifth year at Historic Cane Hill! This family-friendly community science event is held on the grounds and trails of Historic Cane Hill, located about 30 minutes' drive from the U of A campus. This no-cost, team-based insect collection competition is held in collaboration with the Entomology and Plant Pathology Department of the Dale Bumpers College and encourages participants to capture and submit insect specimens for identification and prizes.

The Ozark Bug Crawl began in 2022 to help record and document insect life in the area and has grown to become a festival-like atmosphere with live music, vendors, food and community partners. This year, the doors open at 9:30 a.m. at the Historic Cane Hill College, and the event will run from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 

Austin Jones, instructor of entomology at the U of A, will be on site, along with other volunteer experts to inform participants about the types of life they may find, what to avoid and how to catch different insects. "The Bug Crawl is a unique event that combines exploration of the beautifully maintained grounds and diverse habitats of Historic Cane Hill with natural science education and discovery," Jones said. "Insects make up the most diverse group of life on the planet, and the goal of the Bug Crawl is to get the public up close and personal with these often-overlooked creatures in a fun, scavenger-hunt style, 'diversity rally,' where participants will try to find as many different types of insects as possible." 

Participants will be supplied with collection containers and loaned nets for the adventure. Teams will check in their catches with a team of experts who will help determine what order of life each insect belongs to and share any fun facts about them. The teams with the most diverse collections will have a chance to win prizes including passes to the Scott Famly Amazeum, private U of A Arthropod Museum tours, stickers, toys and other items. "Unique or important finds have a chance to become part of the educational collection housed at Historic Cane Hill," Jones said, "but teams can ultimately choose if they want to keep or release their captured critters."

This year, the Bug Crawl will again incorporate the ENTO-ROADSHOW travelling STEAM classroom developed by Jones for entomological education around The Natural State.  

The Scott Family Amazeum, Illinois River Watershed Partnership, Xerces Society, iNaturalist and Diana Project (which focuses on conservation of our state butterfly, the Diana fritillary) will also have staff and volunteers on site. The Backyard Bugs music group and 3 Chicks Consessions will also be returning to satisfy the ears and bellies of participants from noon to 2 p.m.  

Teams can be made up of families, friends or strangers! Anyone and everyone who has an interest in insects, the biodiversity of the Ozarks or the history of the region are welcome to participate. Participants are encouraged pre-register at http://historiccanehillar.org/5th-ozark-bug-crawl/ and to bring water, sunscreen and anything else they may need for a day in the outdoors to the Historic Cane Hill College (14219 College Rd. Canehill, AR 72717). We hope to see you at the crawl!