K-State Insect Zoo
The mission of the K-State Insect Zoo is to foster a better understanding and increased awareness of our microcosmic, natural world and the important roles that insects and their relatives play in it. The Insect Zoo has a display area which is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 1 p.m.–6 p.m. and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. year-round. Around 8,000 people visit the zoo each year. The zoo's staff provides guided tours to groups of visitors who call ahead and schedule a time to visit. It is a favored place for school field trips.
The Insect Zoo and its staff participate in the K-State Open House in the spring and Family Day in the fall with extra displays and reduced admission fees. These are the zoo's highest attendance days, with Family Day averaging close to 300 people and Open House at about 600.
Although the Insect Zoo staff is not able to travel outside of the facility, we do partner with two groups that are able to take zoo animals out into the community. The Sunset Zoo animal ambassador program and the Popenoe Entomology club can be contacted about on-site programs that feature animals from the Insect Zoo.
The Insect Zoo is supported by donations, admission fees, the Entomology Department, and a NASA grant that supports STEM education projects. Visit our website for more information.
