The 4-H State Insectathon Event provides 4-H youth with opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge of the entomology world.
This event is opened to Juniors, Intermediates and Seniors. Each county may send up to two teams plus two individuals in each 4-H age level to compete in the state event. A total of 30 youth may represent each county. Teams consist of 3-4 members. Cloverbuds may participate in the art contest.
All levels will compete in the same four sections of the contest but each age division will have different sets of study materials. Where possible, contest materials will be tailored to fit each age division.
| Key Questions | Information |
|---|---|
| Who | 4-H members - Juniors, Intermediate and Seniors Cloverbuds may participate in the Insectathon Art Contest |
| When | February 8, 2025 |
| Where | UF Entomology Steinmetz Hall, 1881 Natural Area Dr. Gainesville, FL 32608 |
| Event | Check In starts at 8:00 am Contest starts at 9:00am Awards at 2:00pm |
| Cost | $10 per person. No charge for Cloverbuds participating in the Art Contest |
| Registration | Registration opens in 4-H Online October 1, 2024 and closes January 22, 2025 |
| Contact | Program Content | Dr. Rebecca Baldwin, baldwinr@ufl.edu Registration | 4hevents@ifas.ufl.edu |
Please bring a picnic to enjoy at the Natural Area Teaching Lab picnic area and hiking trails. The Florida Museum of Natural History (free) and the Butterfly Rainforest (admission cost) are also within walking distance.
Time: 60 minutes
Identify insects (based on the 100 common Florida insects) and non-insect arthropods and answer questions about each insect.
See Insectathon Handbook under general study materials for collection contest rules.
Time: 20 minutes
Identify damage to vegetables, fruits, trees, plants, people, animals, houses/structures and determine the insect causing the damage.
Resources
Time: 20 minutes
Participants will answer a multiple-choice quiz about the topic for the given year. The topics will rotate each year on a 4-year cycle.
The topics included will be:
Study Resources:
See Insectathon Handbook under general study materials for collection contest rules.
Pollination
Asian Citrus Psyllid
Biological Control
MythBUGsters
Time: 20 minutes
Participants will have to judge 4 collections. Participants will rank the collections from 1 (best) to 4 (worst) and provide a written reason for their placement. Refer to the Collection Contest for information on how to judge a collections.
Please see Insectathon Handbook under the general study materials for further information on this section.
Dr. Rebecca Baldwin
Email: baldwinr@ufl.edu
Florida 4-H