NightLife: Buggin' Out

Insects get a bad rap, but deserve awe and wonder! From pollinating plants to decomposing waste, insects are the foundation of the food web and crucial to thriving ecosystems. This NightLife, these hard-working, often overlooked critters take center stage as we highlight some of the world’s most fascinating bugs. Walk among butterflies in the Rainforest, peruse one-of-a-kind specimens, and delight in fantastical larger-than-life insect models in our latest exhibit: Bugs.

Sounds by STARFARI

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Live Talks
Science Today

• 7:30 PM - Flower Mantids: Friend or Faux?
  • Learn the freaky and fabulous feasting methods of a deceptive flower mimic in a live talk from Academy senior biologist, Spencer Rennerfeldt.
• 8:30 PM - Ant-i-Social
  • Join entomology curator and Academy “Antman” Brian Fisher and artist Catherine Chalmers for a unique intersection of art and nature focused on language, ritual, and of course, ants.

Planet Bee
Wander Woods

• 8 PM - Find out what it takes to successfully tend to a honeybee colony and get involved in the Planet Bee Citizen Science Project with a live talk from Dr. Jason Graham.
• All Evening - Stop by to check out a live observation hive, chat with the experts from Planet Bee, and learn about the mating ritual of the queen (spoiler alert: she doesn’t use Bumble).

Buggin’ Out Showcase
Swamp
6 - 10 PM

• Get an up close look at some of the Academy's wildest specimens from our extensive Entomology collection.
• Chat with Entomology Curator Brian Fisher and artist Catherine Chalmers about the importance of leafcutter ants and send a personal message to the Academy’s living colony in the Osher Rainforest.

A few don't-miss NightLife details:

• To help keep staff and guests safe, proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is required for entry, and boosters and indoor masking are strongly encouraged. Feeling under the weather? Please NightLife another time! View health and safety information here.
   
• Last entry into the rainforest exhibit is 7:30 pm—our animals need their sleep.
   
• Morrison Planetarium is now open at NightLife with 4 showtimes. To maximize staff and guest safety, planetarium passes are required and capacity is limited. Passes are available online in advance for an additional $5 while supplies last to reserve a seat at a 6:30, 7:30, 8:30, or 9:30 pm planetarium show. Please see our FAQs for more details. (Please note: A limited number of standby seats will be available for all showtimes as space allows on a first-come, first-served basis. Food and drink are not permitted inside the planetarium, and masks must be worn properly at all times.)
   
• Beverages are available at various bars throughout the building, but food must enjoyed outdoors or in the Academy Cafe only.
   
• NightLife is for adults 21+ only. Photo ID required.
   
• Still have Qs? See our FAQs here.