Insect Festival 2026

Overview

35 booths + grad student-led Ask a Scientist Cafe
4 food trucks
​150 faculty, staff, post-doctoral fellows, students
60 community Volunteers
5,000 visitors (approx.)

Theme insect

This year’s theme insect was the Calleta silkmoth, Eupackardia calleta), which can have a wingspan over five inches. It’s the only species in its genus, and is found in Mexico, Guatemala, and the southwestern United States in the foothills and canyons of desert mountain ranges. The caterpillars consume desert ash, ceniza, and ocotillo, then build large silky cocoons in which they complete their metamorphosis into adults. Adult moths fly at dusk.

Press