UW-Entomology is pleased to announce that the 2026 Wisconsin Insect Fest event is coming back to Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, WI on Friday, July 24th starting at 3 PM.
Wisconsin Insect Fest featuresa mixture of indoor and outdoor insect-themed activities, including educational presentations, guided walks, entomology booths/displays, and more. Wisconsin Insect Fest is a free, family-friendly event open to all and we encourage everyone to attend and learn about the fascinating world of insects. We hope to see you there!
Olbrich Botanical Gardens is located at 3330 Atwood Avenue in Madison, WI and is a free public garden, with a mission to enrich lives and inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world. Olbrich Botanical Gardens is a public-private partnership between the City of Madison Parks Division and the non-profit Olbrich Botanical Society.
2026 Wisconsin Insect Fest Schedule of Events:
Blooming Butterflies Exhibit
10 AM – 6 PM
Taking place alongside Wisconsin Insect Fest, Olbrich’s Blooming Butterflies exhibit invites visitors to experience butterflies native to Wisconsin and subtropical species from the southern US. (paid admission)
Entomology Booths and Displays
3 – 7 PM
Swing by the Olbrich Atrium for incredible insect displays and educational booths. Learn all about insects and the essential habitats they need to thrive!
Presentations, Guides Walks, and Demonstrations
3 – 7 PM, starting on the hour
Celebrate the amazing world of insects with eight different speakers covering a range of topic, from macrophotography to fireflies. Scroll down for a full lineup of speakers and additional details:
Food Carts and Edible Insects
5 – 9 PM
Grab a bite from our lineup of local food trucks! Some will even be serving up special, limited-edition dishes featuring edible insects.
Are you adventurous enough to give them a try?
Film Screening: The Extraordinary Caterpillar
7:15 – 8:15 PM
Join us for a free screening of the captivating 60-minute documentary The Extraordinary Caterpillar. This eye-opening film shines a spotlight on the critical—but often overlooked—role caterpillars play in sustaining our ecosystems.
You’ll discover how caterpillars act as the vital engine of our food webs—feeding birds, supporting pollinators, and keeping biodiversity thriving. Most importantly, the film offers a powerful call to action: inspiring us to help restore these essential populations by planting native species right in our own backyards.
Check out the trailer here!
Insects After Dark
(Moth BioBlitz) in Conjunction with National Moth Week
8:30 PM – Midnight
Join entomologists and other insect enthusiasts to explore the world of insects after dark at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. We’ll use blacklights and other survey techniques to look for moths and other nocturnal insects during this during this National Moth Week event. Use iNaturalists’s Seek App to document your sightings and contribute to science!
Open to all – RSVP not required
Indoor Presentations and Outdoor Guided Walks/Demos
All presentations and guided walks are free to attend, but RSVP is requested to reserve your spot!
Olbrich’s Caterpillar Crawl
3-4 PM
OUTDOOR GUIDED WALK
Speakers: Katey Pratt & Sam Yoder, Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Take a walk through the gardens with Olbrich Horticulturalists Katey Pratt & Sam Yoder to learn about caterpillars and some of their favorite host plants! You’ll learn about a few specialist caterpillars and even get a “beat sheet” demonstration along the way!
The Secrets of Macro Photography
3-4 PM
INDOOR PRESENTATION + OUTDOOR GUIDED WALK
Speaker: Tony Shen, UW-Madison
Ever want to take a closer look at our tiny neighbors? Join insect photographer Tony Shen to learn the basics of macro photography and observe the natural world at resolutions and perspectives that are impossible with the naked eye. Tony will showcase photography tricks and techniques, some of his best pictures, and offer an optional guided walk in the garden where to demonstrate techniques after the presentation.
The Great Spreadwing: A damselfly that loves Olbrich Garden
4-5 PM
INDOOR PRESENTATION + OUTDOOR GUIDED WALK
Speaker: Dr. Edgar Spalding, UW-Madison (Emeritus)
This 15-minute indoor presentation will introduce you to an uncommon species of damselfly that lives in and around the ponds in Olbrich Gardens. Then we will walk around the grounds to look for the aquatic nymphs and flying adults. In case of rain, the indoor presentation will be about more of Wisconsin’s Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies).
From snorkels to suction cups: Stories of aquatic insect superpowers
4-5 PM
INDOOR PRESENTATION
Speaker: Dr. Jessica Orlofske, UW-Parkside
Living in freshwater can be challenging, but aquatic insects make it look easy (even fun!). Here, we will highlight examples of how different types of aquatic insects breathe, eat, and move in, on, and underwater!
Citizen Science Made Easy: An Introduction to iNaturalist
5-6 PM
INDOOR PRESENTATION + OUTDOOR GUIDED WALK
Speaker: Josie Dillon, UW-Madison Division of Extension
Discover how iNaturalist can help you identify insects and other organisms while contributing valuable observations to a global community science network. This beginner-friendly session will cover the basics of using the app, including how to record observations, receive identifications, and explore biodiversity around you, with a live demonstration to help you get started. This session is a great way to learn how to use iNaturalist for this evening’s Insects After Dark activity.
Lumos! Taxonomy, Natural History and Conservation of Wisconsin Fireflies
5-6 PM
INDOOR PRESENTATION
Speaker: Dr. Dan Young, UW-Madison
Join beetle expert, Dr. Dan Young, to dive into the diversity of Wisconsin fireflies, their natural history, and the evolution and significance of bioluminescence in their life history. You’ll also learn about issues relating to conservation needs and challenges faced by fireflies.
Magnificent Moths and Their Importance as Pollinators
6-7 PM
INDOOR PRESENTATION
Speaker: Violet Krol, UW-Madison
In preparation for the Insects After Dark nighttime moth and insect survey, explore the world of moths with Violet Krol. Violet will discuss what distinguishes moths from butterflies, our local species, their importance as pollinators, and what you can do to support them. Come enjoy original, local photography and first-hand accounts of our wonderful native moths!
Tales from the Wisconsin Bug Guy
6-7 PM
INDOOR PRESENTATION
Speaker: PJ Liesch, UW-Madison
You’ve heard him on Wisconsin Public Radio, now join the Wisconsin Bug Guy, PJ Liesch, for a special session covering his favorite stories from the UW Insect Diagnostic Lab over the last decade. From fire ants to black widow spiders and globe-trotting bugs, there’s no shortage of surprises amongst Wisconsin’s arthropods.
Highlights from the 2025 Wisconsin Insect Fest:
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