BUGarium

HOURS:

The BUGarium is open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

The BUGarium closes at 4:30 p.m daily Friday through Monday. 

This immersive exhibit engrosses you in the fascinating lives of arthropods. The complex features naturalistic habitats designed to reveal the unseen wonders of “bugs” from around the world. Located near the Butterfly Pavilion and Dragonfly Sanctuary Pond. 

About the BUGarium

The BioPark has been raising and collecting insects for the BUGarium in the Arthropod Rearing Lab, which is not on exhibit, since 2006. The 3,500-square-foot building features different insect and other arthropod species from around the world, including Malaysian walking sticks, giant bird eating tarantulas and southwest velvet ants. Some of the exciting exhibits include:

• A working bee hive
• A tropical tree home to leaf cutter ants
• Aquatic insects that seem to connect to the outside dragonfly sanctuary pond
• A nocturnal exhibit allowing viewing under infra-red light of tarantulas, giant katydids and African scorpions
• A cluster of individual bubbles housing the social communities of naked mole rats

What’s a Bug?

We think of bugs as small animals with lots of legs--spiders, bees, millipedes, scorpions, butterflies and so on. Scientists call these animals with hard exoskeletons, jointed legs and segmented bodies arthropods. They use the term true bug to describe a specific type of insect with piercing and sucking mouthparts. The BUGarium features all kinds of arthropods and a few other surprises.

Eww! Why Bugs?

Bugs can’t be ignored. Eight of 10 animals on Earth are arthropods, and we can’t live without them. They pollinate flowers, feed other animals, eat dead things and play other important roles in the ecosystem.

Bugs also tell good stories. How do ants stay organized? What makes spider silk strong? How does moth perfume smell? At the BUGarium, you will be able to hear their stories and discover their hidden world.