UConn bug week features farm tours, microscope labs, and garden insect hunts

UCONN extension Bug week 2026 — Photo via UCONN Extension

UConn Extension will host Bug Week 2026 this summer, bringing a series of hands-on educational programs and family events to communities across Connecticut.

The statewide initiative is scheduled from July 12 through July 18, 2026. Because insects account for nearly 90% of animal life on Earth, the program focuses on teaching residents about the critical roles these creatures play in local pollination, decomposition, and natural pest control.

“Bug Week is an opportunity for people of all ages to get inspired, explore nature, and appreciate the insects that support our food systems, gardens, forests, and ecosystems,” UConn Extension organizers said in a statement. They noted that the events are structured to appeal to gardeners, farmers, students, and outdoor enthusiasts.

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The scheduled highlights for the week include:

Insect Wonders at the Farm (Tuesday, July 14, 3:00–5:30 p.m.): Held at the Spring Valley Student Farm, this free event features Bug Jeopardy, guided bug tours, and beekeeping demonstrations. Visitors can also explore the vegetables grown on-site for the UConn Storrs campus.
Bug Week at 3rd Thursday (Thursday, July 16, 6:00–9:00 p.m.): Located on Main Street in Willimantic, this session features partnerships with the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History and The Last Green Valley. Presenters will showcase specimens of local bees, discuss their habitats, and teach attendees how to distinguish them from wasps.
Learn about Ticks and Other Parasites (Friday, July 17, 1:00–4:00 p.m.): This free public event takes place at the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, located at 61 North Eagleville Road in Storrs. Attendees can consult with experts, use dissection microscopes, and bring their own insect samples in closed containers. The facility is within walking distance of the UConn Dairy Bar.
Bug Walks at Middlesex County Extension (Saturday, July 18, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.): The UConn Extension Middlesex County Center will host insect hunts and bug walks through its gardens. The day also includes face painting, crafts, and insect identification activities.

Organizers indicate that additional workshops, library events, and community celebrations may be added to the schedule leading up to July. For the latest program updates and an up-to-date schedule, residents can visit the official website at bugs.uconn.edu.

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UConn bug week features farm tours, microscope labs, and garden insect hunts