BugFest Film Screening — Eat or Be Eaten

To kick off NHMU's 2025 BugFest activities, we're hosting a free Friday night film screening and expert panel discussion in partnership with PBS Utah! Join us on Friday, August 8, for a pre-BugFest night out where you'll learn about the mighty bugs that rule our world. It's the perfect event for insect enthusiasts, lifelong learners, or couples looking for a fun night out! Tickets to this special event are free, but seats are limited. Please RSVP to reserve your ticket.

"Bugs That Rule the World" is a four-part series from PBS. Learn about the global investigation into insect declines, explore the diversity of bugs and their critical roles on the planet. Join us as we watch excerpts from Episode 3: "Eat or Be Eaten."

Please Note: The film will begin at 8:30 PM, with doors opening at 8:00 PM for registered guests. At 8:15 PM, any remaining seats will be made available to walk-in attendees. Seating is first come, first served, so we recommend arriving early to secure your preferred spot.

About the Episode

Explore the cutthroat world of insects and adaptations for survival. From praying mantis martial arts to dragonflies and aerial hunting, scientists investigate how nature has equipped insects with smarts, agility and a wild array of weapons.

Meet the Panelists

Jason Cryan, Ph.D. | The Sarah B. George Executive Director

Expertise: treehoppers; Director of NHMU

Ummat Somjee, Ph.D. | Stengle-Wyer Scholar at the Biodiversity Center and Smithsonian; Earl S. Tupper Research Fellow

Expertise: insect sexual selection; Featured in this episode

Emmanuel Santa-Martinez, Ph.D. | Assistant Professor of Biology at SLCC

Expertise: pollination

Rodolfo Probst, Ph.D. | Postdoc at the Science Research Initiative (SRI); College of Science Department of Entomology and Nematology at UC Davis

Expertise: ant evolution