Who runs the Fest?

The University of Arizona’s Department of Entomology has put on the Insect Festival since 2011. We are dedicated to research, teaching, and agricultural extension, and have expertise in all things insects.

Need to identify an insect?

Contact the UA Insect Collection.

Looking for insect outreach in your Tucson area classroom?

Contact our Insect Discovery outreach program.

What happens at the Fest?

You get to play with insects and learn about their biology. What could be better? Interact with UA scientists and community partners at more than 30 insect-themed booths. There are lots of opportunities to see, hold, and even eat insects! And it’s free! This is a great event for children and everyone else who likes cool stuff.

The scientist exhibitors come from academic departments across UA including Entomology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Neurobiology. Local non-profit organizations such as Southeast Butterfly Association, Tucson Botanical Gardens, Tohono Chul, National Park Service, and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum also bring fun and educational exhibits.

Courtyard of the ENR2 building, where we’ve staged the Fest in recent years.

Photos from past festivals

Dr. Wendy Moore offers Gabrielle Giffords a gentle Giant Whip Scorpion.
Festival attendees and their bugs.
Entomology graduate student John Palting, eliminating fears and fostering appreciation of arthropods.
Ocotillo caterpillars are a hit.
Dr. Kathleen Walker shows off her friendly cockroaches.
Dr. Bruce Tabashnik explains insect-resistant transgenic crops.
The Arthropod Zoo team.

Please join us!

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