Insects account for 90% of animal life on earth. Many are the unsung heroes of our diverse ecosystems. UConn Bug Week events help families identify and learn about the amazing diversity of insects in our state as well as understand and appreciate the important roles that insects play in our lives.
Events will be buzzing from July 16 to July 31 with programs for the entire family. All ages are welcome to attend and explore the activities and events dedicated to insects and their relatives. Visit our website at www.bugs.uconn.edu for more information. Bug Week programs include the following:
Visit Spring Valley Student Farm for our annual “Insect Wonders at the Farm” on Tuesday, July 16 from 3 to 6 pm. The student farm is located behind the house at 104 Spring Manor Road, Mansfield, CT. While at the farm you can play Bug Jeopardy, take a bug tour, learn about beekeeping and see the vegetables we grow for the UConn Storrs campus. This is a FREE event!
See displays of live insects from local gardens and participate in bug walks at the Middlesex County Extension Office, 1066 Saybrook Rd., Haddam, CT on Wednesday, July 17 from 10 am until 1 pm. The program will include bug hunts in the Extension gardens, insect identification, and giveaways. Master Gardeners will be available to answer your gardening questions. You are welcome to bring insects you’d like to have identified, but please bring them in an enclosed container. All ages are invited to this FREE event.
Explore the Dazzling Diversity of Treehoppers on Thursday, July 19 from 6 pm until 9 pm in downtown Willimantic. There will be coloring activities focused on the ways treehopper helmets mimic their surroundings or warn away predators, and a display about the mutual relationship between ants and treehoppers, with giveaways of “honeydew” honey sticks from Sugar Maple Farms.
If you can’t attend the Third Thursday event in Willimantic, visit the “Natural Selection is Amazing! Exploring the Dazzling Diversity of Treehoppers” exhibit, which is on display in the Gant Science Complex at UConn Storrs. The exhibit is self-directed, and available to view during building hours between 8 am-6 pm. It is adjacent to the North Parking Garage.
Join the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History, UConn Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, and the Connecticut Fly Fisherman’s Association in the Torrey Life Sciences (TLS) building at UConn Storrs on Saturday, July 20 from 9 am to 4 pm for the Aquatic Insects of Connecticut Fly Tying Workshop. Learn about aquatic insects of CT and tie 3 flies of your own to take home and use to catch fish. Registration is required and costs $20 ($15 for CSMNH members). Click on this link to register: https://csmnh.ticketleap.com/flytying2024/
We are also holding a Photo Contest with a submission deadline of July 31. Learn more at https://bugs.uconn.edu/photo-contest/