Event Rules

1. The high three scores will be considered as the official team

2. No talking, comparing, or copying of cards

3. Hats, jackets, and backpacks are allowed to remain in the ID lab where they will be kept secure. These items are not to be with a participant during testing.

4. The OK CDE Insect Order Characteristics will be considered the definitive document.

5. Decisions of the judges will be final.

Event Format

Team Make-up

1. One entomology team is composed of three or four members.

2. Schools not entering a team may enter one or two students individually.

Equipment

1. Pencil (required)

2. Eraser (recommended)

3. Clipboard (recommended)

4. Hand lens (at least 10x magnification)

Event

This event consists of two components

Section 1: Insect Identification 

• Twenty-Five (25) stations with each containing a physical arthropod specimen.

• The entire specimen box may be lifted to examine closely.

• Specimen or vials may not be removed from the box.

• Stations are clearly numbered 1-25.

• A maximum of 2 minutes is allowed at each station.

• Contestants are to remain at that station until time is called and then move to the next station as directed.

• Scanforms will be collected at the end of this section.

• The superintendent will review ID specimens after all participants have completed both sections.

• Each station is worth 8 points. 

  1. 2 points awarded for correct common name,

  2. 3 points for correct order,

  3. 1 point for metamorphosis,

  4. 1 point for mouthparts,

  5. 1 point for significance.

Section 2: Written Exam 

• 30 questions.

• Each question is worth 4 points.

• Questions are generated from Entomology and Introduction to Entomology listed in Study Materials section, below. There is no exam item bank.

Scoring

• Section 1 - 200

• Section 2 - 120

• Total Points 

• Individual - 320

• Team - 960

Tiebreakers

Individual ties will be broken in the following steps

• 1. Exam score

• 2. Accumulated points for correct type of metamorphosis for each insect in Section 1

• 3. Accumulated points for correct common name for each insect in Section 1

Team ties will be broken in the following order

• 1. Team with the highest placing individual

• 2. Team with the highest exam score

• 3. Team with the highest accumulated points for correct type of metamorphosis for each insect in Section 1

• 4. Team with the highest accumulated points for correct common name for each insect in Section 1

Study Materials

Please contact Dr. Andrine Shufran directly at andrine@okstate.edu or (405) 743-9311 to obtain study materials.

• Entomology. Nebraska Extension. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska

• Introduction to Entomology. Nebraska Extension. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska

• OKFFA Ento CDE Arthropod ID List 2026

• OKFFA Ento CDE Insect Order Characteristics 2026

• OKFFA Ento CDE Flashcard Slides

Supplemental Materials

Texas Entomology 527TX-6 Scanform