Bug World

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Free with admission

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A large model of a praying mantis looms over guests in a museumexhibit.

Opening February 14, 2026

Imagine What’s Possible in a World Built by Bugs!

Bug World

Precision flight, swarm intelligence, mind control… bugs can do it all — and they’re doing it better than humans! Bug World is a larger-than-life exhibition that showcases the fantastical yet real-life abilities of bugs in an experience like no other. Featuring immersive environments and towering replicas, Bug World offers a mind-bending perspective on the incredible — but often overlooked — genius of insects and how they’re inspiring solutions to humankind’s most complex problems. You’ll never look at bugs the same way again! 

Bug World was created by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and built by Wētā Workshop, the five-time Academy Award-winning special effects masters behind The Lord of the Rings and Avatar. They teamed up with Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand to use their masterful modeling and set design to unveil the genius of insects like you’ve never seen before.

Follow the link below to prebook your tickets, or get a Museum Membership for unlimited admission to this — and all exhibits and events — year round. 

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  • Children explore a museum exhibit called Bug World.
  • Guests look at a large orchid praying mantis in a museum exhibit called Bug World
  • A guest interacts with a digital display in a museum exhibit called Bug World.
  • A large model of a green fly in a museum exhibit called Bug World
  • A boy looks at a screen in a museum exhibit called Bug World.
  • Guests look at a large pink praying mantis in a museum exhibit called Bug World
  • A crowd of guests explore a museum exhibit called Bug World featuring insect models scaled to be larger than humans

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Exhibit Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in detailed environments featuring insect replicas built at colossal scale with astonishing detail — flipping the script and making you feel tiny!
  • Discover the superhero-like abilities of insects, from the lightning speed of dragonflies to the defense tactics of Japanese honeybees.
  • Test your own insect abilities through engaging, hands-on activities that demonstrate the complexity of insect behavior and capabilities.
  • Examine actual bug specimens and explore cutting-edge bug science through interactive experiences.

This Exhibition has been developed by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa with Weta Workshop Limited. 

weta workshop and te papa logos
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Presented by

The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation

Major Sponsors

The Meldrum Foundation

My Good Fund

Rio Tinto Kennecott

Exhibit Sponsors

Clark and Nancy Giles Special Exhibition Endowed Fund

Janet Quinney Lawson Foundation

Lawrence T. & Janet T. Dee Family Foundation

The Potter Family

Community Sponsors

The DiFiore Family Foundation

JoAnne L. Shrontz Family Foundation

S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney Foundation

Institutional Support

Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts, and Parks

The Past Worlds exhibit at NHMU.

Plan Your Visit

This special exhibit is included with museum admission. One ticket gives you a full day of incredible exploration through 10 permanent exhibitions and Bug World!

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