Insect Zoo
At the University of Maryland Insect Zoo, we bring the fascinating world of arthropods directly to our community. As a premier hub for hands-on entomological outreach, captive breeding, and student leadership, we are dedicated to sparking curiosity and fostering appreciation for the smaller creatures that keep our ecosystems running.
Our Mission
To deliver accessible, world-class arthropod education across Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia. Through free and low-cost programming, live encounters, and public events, we bridge the gap between scientific research and the community—one close-up interaction at a time.
Our Impact at a Glance
- 10,000+ Community members who held or closely interacted with live arthropods this year alone.
- 80+ Educational outreach events hosted across the DMV region.
- Active Captive Breeding Programs supporting rare, unique, and engaging species for public display and learning.
- Student-Led Innovation driven by UMD’s own Bug Club and dedicated caretakers.
Whether we are visiting a local school, setting up at a regional festival, or hosting interactive displays on campus, the Insect Zoo is proud to provide immersive, unforgettable learning experiences for all ages.
Support the Insect Zoo: Double Your Impact Today!
An anonymous donor has agreed to match every contribution dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000! Help inspire young scientists through no-cost UMD Insect Zoo hands-on programming at STEAM fairs and classroom visits.
Outreach Programming
Outreach & Regional Impact
The UMD Insect Zoo brings hands-on STEM discovery directly to classrooms, community centers, and regional festivals across both urban and rural communities. Housing over 85 live species—including tarantulas, scorpions, leafcutter ants, and giant leaf bugs—our mobile programs deliver tactile, unforgettable experiences that spark scientific curiosity and foster a lasting appreciation for nature.
Why Partner With Us?
- Educational Equity: We prioritize accessible, free, and low-cost programming for Title I schools and underserved communities across Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia.
- Hands-On STEM Learning: Programs are tailored for classrooms, camps, and public festivals, giving young learners up-close encounters with living arthropods.
- Student-Led Leadership: Every event provides vital public service, science communication, and mentorship opportunities for UMD students and Bug Club members.
Book an Event
Ready to bring live arthropods to your school, library, or community event? Reach out to our outreach team at insectzoo@umd.edu to learn more about scheduling and availability.
Public Events
The Insect Zoo currently has no open public hours. See below for a schedule of our upcoming public events.
Signature Event: Maryland Day
The Insect Petting Zoo at Maryland Day, held annually on the last Saturday of April at the University of Maryland's College Park campus, is our flagship event. We pull out all the stops to present amazing exhibits and showcase every bug in the Insect Zoo. Visitors can:
- Touch and hold exotic insects
- Watch live demonstrations
- Explore themed exhibits
- Meet entomologists and student volunteers
Featured Living Display
Every semester, we feature a new arthropod in our display cabinet on the 2nd-floor lobby (on the Hornbake Plaza side) of the Plant Sciences Building. Stop by to see:
- Live feedings
- Q&A sessions with caretakers
- Up-close views of rare and beautiful insects
The current display was prepared by The Bug Club and features a colony of incredible Malayan jungle nymphs (Heteropteryx dilatata) of all ages. These herbivores from deep in the jungles of Southeast Asia feed on vegetation. What can you observe about them? How many can you count?
Give it your best shot and submit your answer to Who's In The Jungle? to win custom Bug Club stickers! Get plugged in via the official Bug Club at UMD Linktree.
Past displays include a mating pair of orchid mantises, an ag-pest display of tobacco hornworms, and golden orb weaver spiders. Stay tuned to UMD_Entomology on Instagram to find out when we launch our next display!
Meet Our Arthropod Ambassadors
The arthropods we have at the Insect Zoo vary seasonally, but here are a few visitor favorites you can meet year-round.
Meet Our Staff
Todd Waters
As the Insect Zoo Manager, Todd plays a crucial role in helping the department foster an appreciation for insects in the wider community. “People go from being afraid of bugs and swearing they will never hold something to not being able to leave the table because they’re having such a great time. It seems like they’re having a profound change of mind,” Todd told The Diamondback in 2022. With his help, the Insect Zoo is capturing the hearts and minds of residents across the D.C. region, even the most trepidatious.
Niina Craven - Undergraduate Student Employee
Niina is a senior biological sciences major (specializing in neurobiology and physiology) and an entomology minor on the pre-medicine track, and she is our most experienced undergraduate student employee. She is president of the Bug Club at UMD, a member of the UMD Women's Hockey Team, and conducts genomics research in the Fritz Lab studying olfactory reception and host detection in Culex mosquitoes.
Her favorite Insect Zoo memory is the Roach Derby at Maryland Day! Her favorite bug is the atlas beetle.