STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Wildlife photographers of all ages and skill levels have a venue to showcase their camera eye in an insect photo competition.

The Crosby Arboretum BugFest Photo Competition is accepting entries until Sept. 14 for photos of arthropods. These include centipedes, millipedes, insects, spiders and scorpions on land and barnacles, crabs, crayfish, lobsters and shrimp in water. The contest also includes a “Best of Show” dragonfly photo award. To register, visit msuext.ms/24bugfest.

No entry fee is required to participate. The contest includes three categories for participants: ages 17 and under, a beginner’s group for ages 18 and over, and an advanced category for ages 18 and over. Each category rewards first, second and third place prizes.

Each photographer may enter up to three photographs. The entrant must be the photographer, but younger participants can receive help from an adult with submitting their entries. The date and place of the photo are required for information purposes, plus a brief statement with information about the arthropod and what made the subject appeal to the photographer.

Photos must be entered in a JPEG format and cannot include watermarks or signatures. The minimum photo size is 2,000 by 4,000 pixels.

Each winner receives an individual award and goodie bag. Entries will be accepted until 11 p.m. Sept. 14. The winning photos will be announced Sept. 17, followed by a Sept. 21 award ceremony where the winners will find out their specific awards.

The Crosby Arboretum is operated by the Mississippi State University Extension Service and is a unit of the Coastal Research & Extension Center in Biloxi. The 64-acre public garden is in Picayune adjacent to Interstate 59 and is dedicated to environmental education.

This project is supported by the MEMBERS of Coast Electric through Operation Round Up and their Community Trust, in partnership with the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

MSU is an equal opportunity institution. For more information, contact The Crosby Arboretum office at 601-799-2311 or email barb.medlock@msstate.edu.