Expect to be bugged in the Memorial Union this weekend.

The sixth annual Insect Horror Festival, known throughout the world, will take place on the Iowa State University campus this Friday and Saturday.

“People’s imaginations are captured by this event, and it is a lot of fun,” said Tom Baker, entomology professor and department chairman. “We get calls from all over the country and the world inquiring about the event.”

The festival will include a slide presentation called “Arthropods on Film” at noon on Thursday in the Maintenance Shop of the Union and a showing of Them and Mothra, insect movies. Them will be shown Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the South Ball Room of the Union. Mothra will be shown at the same time in the Pioneer Room.

“Arthropods on Film” will be presented by Jim Mertins, entomologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Veterinary Service Laboratory.

Them, a black and white 1954 movie about giant ants in the American Southwest desert, is one of the earliest films dedicated to showing that humans shouldn’t be tempering with atomic energy or bombs.

Mothra is a 1961 Japanese film about a giant caterpillar on a mission of mercy to save two tiny princesses. Mertins said the movie warns against environmental destruction and disruption. He said it is one of the few movies where insects are portrayed in a benevolent way.

“We chose cheesy horror flicks with great big bugs to make people laugh,” said Cathy Grutzmacher, a senior in entomology and president of the entomology club.

Baker said several hundred people usually attend the activities throughout the weekend. The audience includes amateur entomologists and people of all ages.

The event gives both the entomology department and ISU exposure. Several years ago, two ISU entomology students appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno with their insects.

Baker said the Insect Horror Film Festival is almost entirely run by the Entomology Club.

“The department helps out, but it is really [the Entomology Club’s] production,” he said. “They deserve all of the credit the festival has earned.”

Mertins has published articles on insects, and said he is interested in the subject of insects in movies as a hobby. The presentation will look at an overview of the appearance of arthropods in Hollywood movies, such as the prevalence of bees, butterflies and spiders in large groupings. Mertins said spiders are frequently depicted in a negative light.

An insect tasting party will begin at 6 p.m. Friday in the South Ballroom and at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Pioneer Room. Insect recipes such as bug brownies, corn borer corn bread, chocolate covered crickets and mealworm wigglers will be available for people to try.

There will also be displays including a water tank with swimming insects and pinned displays of butterflies. Giant hissing cockroaches will be available for people to pet. Admission is free for everyone.