Thousands of bug experts converge on Columbus for national entomology conference

Ohio State's BUGmobile is a mobile insect zoo — an Airstream camper transformed into a hands-on classroom, museum, zoo and lab.(The Ohio State University)Columbus is buzzing with excitement as the National Entomology Society's 2026 Annual Conference comes to Ohio State University.Carrie Elvey from Ohio State's department of entomology joined Morning Edition Host Stu Osborne to discuss the conference.Carrie Elvey: This is a professional conference for entomologists from all over the country. (Sunday) was the grand opening, a lot of meet and greets, networking, vendors in the vendor hall, including a bunch of artists and people from industry. Monday is really about students. There's competitions for students to give presentations and to share posters, and to share the work that they're doing. And then Tuesday and Wednesday are professional meetings. Researchers (will be) sharing what they've been doing, having panel discussions and having working groups.Stu Osborne: You mentioned the stu