Registration and the schedule for the 18th annual Day of Insects at Reiman Gardens on March 28, 2026 is now online!
If you are unfamiliar with the Day of Insects (DOI), the day is filled with presentations from professionals, academics, advocates, and enthusiasts covering a range of insect-related topics. From beginners to seasoned veterans, DOI has something for anyone interested in or involved with insects. On the day of the event, doors will open at 8:00 a.m., with presentations starting at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 4:20 p.m.
Promotional poster for the day can be found here: Day of Insects Promotional Poster.
2026 Presentations (Saturday, March 28)
8-9 a.m. Registration
9-9:10 a.m. Opening Announcements
9:10-9:30 a.m. "Wonders of Manu: A Look at Butterfly Diversity in the Peruvian Amazon" presented by Paxton Scott, Iowa State University
9:30-9:50 a.m. "Pollinator Friendly Ames!" presented by Katelyn Rinicker, Prairie Rivers of Iowa
9:50-10:10 a.m. “Big Sand Mound - Sand Dunes of Muscatine and Louisa County” presented by Jim Durbin, Iowa Nature Mapping and Insects of Iowa
10:10-10:30 a.m. "Five Insects (Say What?)" presented by MJ Hatfield
10:30-11:00 a.m. Break
11:00-11:20 a.m. "Supporting Pollinators in New Developments: The Power of Native Landscapes" presented by Mykayla Hagaman, Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium
11:20-11:40 a.m. "Tarantulas - When the Hobby Becomes the Patient” presented by Lindsay Volovski, Iowa State University
11:40 a.m.-12:00 p.m. "Decapods of Iowa Revisited" presented by Paul W. Frese, Iowa DNR, Wildlife Diversity Program
12:00-12:20 p.m. "Silphium: Prairie Plants and the Infinite Wasp Machine" presented by Louis Nastasi, University of Iowa
12:20-1:20 p.m. Lunch
1:20-1:40 p.m. "Flesh Please: Decomposers and Recyclers" presented by Annelyn Bateman, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
1:40-2:00 p.m. “Beyond the Bite: The Unexpected Rise of Red Meat Allergy” presented by Moni Hayne
2:00-2:20 p.m. The Impact and Importance of SWARMs: Insectariums and Their Dedication to Preserve the Wild Biodiversity” presented by Carolyn Curley with the Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
2:20-2:40 p.m. "The B-Roll Project: Streamlining 360° Digitization for Pinned Insect Collections" presented by Trevor Greene, University of Northern Iowa
2:40-3:10 p.m. Break
3:10-3:30 p.m. "Nature's Lanterns: Firefly Conservation Status and Future Actions in Iowa" presented by Yuanwu Wang, Iowa State University
3:30-3:50 p.m. "Adventures In Entomology: A Man, A Plan, and a Minivan" presented by Stephen Young
3:50-4:10 p.m. "Stag Beetles In Our Backyard And Beyond: An Intimate Look At Their Biodiversity" presented by Marlin Rice
4:10-4:20 p.m. Closing Announcements
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