NC State Fair Insect Collection

Stalking squash vine borers, digging for bess beetles - these adventures can lead to creating an insect collection that is eligible for youth to enter in the North Carolina State Fair. Show off your entomology skills by building a collection to enter in the State Fair Insect Collection. You can participate in two different classes; Division 106: General Insect Collection or Division 107: Special Study.

To create your insect collection begin here or if you have one already made and are fair ready, here are just a few rules to get you started. To register your collection for the fair, visit the North Carolina State Fair website and select "competitions" and look for "4-H". Register by September 15th of each year.

image of the insect collections at the NC State Fair — The 4-H Entomology Insect Collection at the North Carolina State Fair is a fun way to learn about insects!

Division 106: 4-H Entomology Insect Collection

Age Classes

Class 01 - Cloverbuds 5-7 years (All youth will receive a green cloverbud ribbon only for entering)
Class 02 - Juniors 8-13 years
Class 03 - Seniors 14-18 years

Rules and Regulations

The entrant should be currently enrolled in the North Carolina 4-H Program.
Those planning to exhibit should submit form to State Fair Entry Office by date assigned in premium book.
The display boxes must be a minimum of 6.5” by 8.5” and a maximum of 19” by 25”, made out of any material and have a glass or plexiglass cover. For more information see: go.ncsu.edu/4-H_Insects.
The collection must be the work of the exhibitor.
Winning first place eliminates the insect collection from further competition in this class.

Criteria for Judging

General appearance and neatness of arrangement.
Care in preparation of the insects.
Correct placement and completeness of labels.
Number of orders and specimens of insects correctly identified.
Insects collected by someone other than the 4-H’er are acceptable, if pinned, labeled, and mounted by the 4-H’er. The true collector’s name should be on the label. The majority of the insects must be collected by the 4-H’er.

Premiums

All cloverbuds will receive a ribbon only.
Juniors & Seniors: 1st - $50, 2nd - $20, 3rd - $10, 4th & 5th - $5

Division 107: 4-H Entomology Special Study

Age Classes

Class 01 - Cloverbuds 5-7 years (All youth will receive a green cloverbud ribbon only for entering)
Class 02 - Juniors 8-13 years
Class 03 - Seniors 14-18 years

Rules and Regulations

The entrant should be currently enrolled in the North Carolina 4-H Program.
Those planning to exhibit should submit form to State Fair Entry Office by date assigned in premium book.
Material in this class may consist of insect specimens, damage, nests, control procedures, pertinent written statements or descriptions, etc. It should tell a story about some central theme or objective.
The display boxes must be a minimum of 6.5” by 8.5” and a maximum of 19” by 25”, made out of any material and have a glass or plexiglass cover. For more information see: go.ncsu.edu/4-H_Insects.
The collection must be the work of the exhibitor.
Winning first place eliminates the insect collection from further competition in this class.

Criteria for Judging

General appearance and neatness of arrangement
Care in preparation of the insects.
Scientific, educational, and artistic merit.
Adherence to a central theme or objective.
Insects collected by someone other than the 4-H’er are acceptable, if pinned, labeled, and mounted by the 4-H’er. The true collector’s name should be on the label. The majority of the insects must be collected by the 4-H’er.