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18th Annual Day of Insects at Reiman Gardens

8:00am-4:30pm
Iowa State University

18th Annual Day of Insects at Reiman Gardens
March 28th, 2026
8:00am-4:30pm
Iowa State University
Ames Iowa

If you are unfamiliar with 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.

2026 PRESENTATIONS (Saturday, March 28)
Schedule for the day:

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 AM 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 PM 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 PM 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 PM Closing Announcements

Our Impact to Date Since 2010

  • Trained Master Naturalists

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  • Volunteer Hours

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  • Volunteer Projects

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  • Impact Value

    $3481241

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