Eureka Museum's Insect Week Celebrates Tiny Creatures

Crowds gathered to learn about the importance of butterflies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, and bees.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:49am

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A highly structured, abstract painting in soft greens, browns, and blues, featuring sweeping geometric shapes and precise botanical spirals that conceptually represent the complex interconnections between insects and their environment.An abstract artistic rendering of the intricate web of relationships between insects and their vital role in sustaining healthy ecosystems.Grand Junction Today

The Eureka McConnell Science Museum in Grand Junction, Colorado has kicked off its annual Insect Week, showcasing a variety of insects and educating the public on their vital roles in ecosystems. Visitors were able to see and interact with butterflies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, and even a tarantula named Houdini. Experts discussed the diversity of bee species and their specialized pollination abilities, emphasizing the critical relationship between insects and humans.

Why it matters

Insect Week aims to spark curiosity and wonder about the tiny creatures that are essential to the health of ecosystems. By educating the public, especially children, about the importance of insects, the museum hopes to foster a lifelong appreciation for these often-overlooked species.

The details

The first day of Insect Week featured displays of various insects, including butterflies, mosquitoes, and cockroaches. A highlight was the tarantula named Houdini, which crawled on the hand of Amy Dolan, a conservation biologist for the Xerces Society. Experts also discussed the diversity of bee species, with over 20,000 species worldwide and 1,000 in Colorado alone. They explained that many bees have specialized jobs, such as the squash bee that only pollinates plants in the squash family and the cactus bee that only pollinates cactus flowers.

  • Insect Week kicked off on Monday, April 8, 2026.
  • A 'Meet the Bees' event is scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 2026 from 7-9 p.m. at the Confluence Center.

The players

Amy Dolan

A conservation biologist for the Xerces Society who brought a tarantula named Houdini to the event.

Johanna van Waveren

The Community Engagement Director for the Eureka Museum, who discussed the importance of bees and their specialized roles.

Eureka McConnell Science Museum

The museum in Grand Junction, Colorado that is hosting the annual Insect Week event.

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What they’re saying

“That was as a gift when I graduated with my master's degree.”

— Amy Dolan, Conservation Biologist, Xerces Society

“People think a lot about honeybees, but that actually isn't a native bee species.”

— Johanna van Waveren, Community Engagement Director, Eureka Museum

“A squash bee will only pollinate plants in the squash family. Cactus bees will only pollinate cactus flowers.”

— Amy Dolan, Conservation Biologist, Xerces Society

“There's this amazing relationship between insects and humans that we don't talk about that much. We couldn't do so much without the help of insects.”

— Johanna van Waveren, Community Engagement Director, Eureka Museum

What’s next

The Eureka Museum will host a 'Meet the Bees' event on Thursday, April 9, 2026 from 7-9 p.m. at the Confluence Center, providing an opportunity for the public to learn more about these essential pollinators.

The takeaway

Insect Week at the Eureka Museum highlights the vital role that insects play in maintaining healthy ecosystems, and the event aims to foster a greater appreciation for these often-overlooked creatures among both children and adults in the local community.