2025 Bug Week Programs & Activities

Bug Hunting & Raising for the Family

Saturday, June 14, 2025, 10:00 AM - 12 PM (Yes, June is correct)
Adults (Youth 12+ may accompany registered adult) | New London County Extension Center 562 New London Turnpike, Norwich, CT 06360

Registration Required

$50 for non Master Gardners, $40 for Master Gardners.

Want to see some fascinating insects in their natural environment? Want to learn which host plants they hang out on, and where they hide? Come on a bug hunt with Pamm Cooper on the New London Extension Center grounds in Norwich as she shows us how to find the hidden critters living amid our native and ornamental plants. Pamm will start the class with a PowerPoint presentation identifying some of the common insects we might see in the field, such as beetles, bees, and caterpillars. Then we will head out onto the grounds to “shake out” some of our friends from their cozy plant homes so we can take a closer look. Pamm, who is always on the lookout for insects in their native habitats, will also bring along some interesting live insect samples for the class to view.

Bug Walks

Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 10 AM - 1 PM

All-Ages Event | Middlesex County Extension Center, 1066 Saybrook Road, Haddam, CT, 06438

This event is FREE and open to the public

The program will include bug hunts in the Extension gardens, displays of live insect identification, crafting with 4-H, and giveaways. People of all ages are invited to explore the wonderful world of insects, and 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.

Dazzling Diversity of Treehoppers

Thursday, July 18, 2023 from 6 PM - 9PM

Downtown Willimantic’s Third Thursday Street Festival

All-Ages Event |

This event is FREE and open to the public

The CSMNH will be there with coloring activities focused on the ways treehopper helmets mimic their surroundings or warn away predators. There will also be a display about the mutual relationship between ants and some groups of treehoppers and 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, on display in the Gant Science Complex at UConn Storrs. The exhibit is available to view during building hours between 8 am-6 pm. It is adjacent to the North Parking Garage.

Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

Friday, July 18, 2025, 3 pm - 6 pm
All-Ages Event | Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL), 61 North Eagleville Rd., U-3089, Storrs, CT 06269-3089

This event is FREE and open to the public

While at the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory at UConn, you visit with the experts to learn about ticks and other parasites, and have some hands on time with a dissection microscope! Samples in closed containers are welcome.

Pro Tip: It's within walking distance to the UConn Dairy Bar so you might want to plan on stopping by for a sweet treat!

Aquatic Insects

July 20, 2024 9 am - 4 pm

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 a.m. to 4 p.m. 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). Visit https://csmnh.ticketleap.com/flytying2024/ to register.