Beetles to take center stage at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences' BugFest

The NC Museum of Natural Sciences' BugFest returns this weekend with a focus on the beetle.

The 24th annual event, the largest bug-focused event in the country, draws more than 30,000 visitors for more than a 100 different exhibits, crafts, games and activities. And, of course, it includes the always popular Cafe Insecta where you can actually sample dishes that have been prepared by local chefs and feature bugs. BugFest is free and runs from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21.

Each year, BugFest celebrates a specific kind of insect, and this year beetles get a special focus. Why beetles?

For one, beetles account for over 400,000 species — nearly one-fourth of all known types of animals, according to the museum's website.

And, a fun fact about the beetle pictured above—the dung beetle: There are about 30 species of dung beetles in North Carolina. Their job, to eat feces (yep, that's right), helps us humans in lots of ways. For farmers, they provide free sanitation and fly control, according to the museum. For ecosystems, they enhance nutrient recycling.

Special presenters at this year's BugFest include dung beetle aficionado and NC State entomology professor Clyde Sorenson, Tufts University professor and author Sara Lewis who will explain the loves and lies of fireflies, and the Museum’s own viral video-producing ant expert Adrian Smith who will talk about the secret world of insect behavior, according to the museum. You’ll also hear about tree-killing beetles, peculiar leafcutter ants, solitary bees and fascinating spiders.

More information is on the BugFest website.