Opening in Fall 2015, the BUGarium will feature insects, arachnids and other fascinating creatures.

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The BUGarium, coming to the Botanic Garden in 2015, will engross you in the fascinating lives of arthropods. The complex will feature naturalistic habitats designed to reveal the unseen wonders of “bugs” from around the world. It will be located near the PNM Butterfly Pavilion and Dragonfly Sanctuary PondGround-breaking and construction for the new building began on June 25, 2014.

Notice: the Dragonfly Sanctuary Pond is closed during the BUGarium construction.

About the BUGarium

The BioPark has been raising and collecting insects for the BUGarium in the Arthropod Rearing Lab, which is not on exhibit, since 2006. The new 3,500 square foot building will feature different insect and other arthropod species from around the world, including Malaysian walking sticks, giant bird eating tarantulas and southwest velvet ants. Some of the exciting exhibits planned include:

  • A working bee hive
  • A tropical tree home to leaf cutter ants
  • Aquatic insects that seem to connect to the outside dragonfly sanctuary pond
  • A nocturnal exhibit allowing viewing under infra-red light of tarantulas, giant katydids and African scorpions
  • A cluster of individual bubbles housing the social communities of naked mole rats

What’s a Bug?

We think of bugs as small animals with lots of legs--spiders, bees, millipedes, scorpions, butterflies and so on. Scientists call these animals with hard exoskeletons, jointed legs and segmented bodies arthropods. They use the term true bug to describe a specific type of insect with piercing and sucking mouthparts. The BUGarium will feature all kinds of arthropods and a few other surprises.

Eww! Why Bugs?

Bugs can’t be ignored. Eight of ten animals on Earth are arthropods, and we can’t live without them. They pollinate flowers, feed other animals, eat dead things and play other important roles in the ecosystem.

Bugs also tell good stories. How do ants stay organized? What makes spider silk strong? How does moth perfume smell? At the BUGarium, you will be able to hear their stories and discover their hidden world.

BUGarium Fly-Through

Get a preview of the BUGarium with this narrated fly-through video of the construction plans.

The current estimated opening date for the Bugarium is Oct 30. (Subject to change.)

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