Who to Bug?

Kayla is our project coordinator, and the one who makes sure that we are on schedule throughout the year! She’s got the long-term goals down and keeps us from straying too far from what we need to be doing. Feel free to bug her with any questions! If she doesn’t have the answer, she can point you in the right direction.
For questions about projects & outreach events email kvz3@msstate.edu or call 662.325.2981.

Ms. Jennifer Seltzer is one of the founders of Bug Blues and the brain of our operation. She also runs the Mississippi Entomological Museum Identification Center (MEMiC), helping people across the United States detect, identify, and respond to invasive insects. If you think you have a pest and need help, she is one of the best people to have on your side!
For questions about screening and ID assistance email jls30@msstate.edu or call 662.325.4589.

Dr. JoVonn Hill is the director of the Mississippi Entomological Museum and is an expert in grasshopper and ant taxonomy. If you are lucky, you may have the opportunity to catch him out in the wild!

Adam is our curator at the Mississippi Entomological Museum! Not only does he care for the specimens, but he also provides tours to visitors, sharing the importance of the collection and the research it supports.
For questions about collections and loans, email ah3953@msstate.edu or call 662-325-2989.

Anthony is one of the leaders of our screening center and is an identification expert. He knows a lot about a lot of things, and is happy to talk to you about beetles, curation, archives, and even fossils. He helps with outreach and live shows, presenting our bugs and is his own! You will likely see him out with Sally, his wonderfully sweet tarantula!

Harry is our arthropod zookeeper! They manage the zoo and lead the Zoo Crew, making sure our live arthropods receive the best care possible. From tarantulas to toe-biters, Harry loves sharing what makes these “creepy crawlies” so fascinating and important to our world.
For questions about the arthropod zoo email hwj19@msstate.edu or call 662-325-2981.

Beverly is truly a specialist when it comes to outreach! You can find her working with everyone from curious young kids to expert entomologists, sharing her passion for insects and helping people of all ages discover the fascinating world of bugs.

Leah is our graphic designer and all things creative extraordinaire! The Clay Lyle lobby, better known as The Ent, has been her passion project!

Izzy is a graduate student at MSU working on pollinator research. She helps with outreach events when she’s not busy in the lab or out doing field work!

Phillip is a graduate student at MSU doing research on native bees. He manages research projects and fieldwork for the native bee lab. He helps with outreach events when he’s not busy in the Bee Lab!

Darby is a gradate student studying velvet ant taxonomy! Along with outreach, you can find her working in the screening center or out doing field work.

Tony is always ready to help with outreach! He loves to travel all over the state, sharing everything we know and love about our many-legged friends. You can find him hanging out with Mindy, one of our largest and friendliest tarantulas.

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