Insect Zoo & KSU Display Gardens

Kansas State University
1500 Denison Avenue
Manhattan, Kansas 66506

Insect Zoo: 785-532-6110

Open Tuesday - Saturday: 1-6PM
Admission: $3 for age 3 and older

Insect Zoo Map   Admission Cost   Kansas Zoos

Insect Zoo and KSU Display Gardens
Insect Zoo - Manhattan, Kansas
Insect Zoo - Kansas State University

The Insect Zoo at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas includes displays of preserved, live and fossil insects. Several of the displays are hands on, including the use of microscopes to view preserved insects, and a creative kitchen where each cupboard or drawer has examples and details about the creatures that may be found there. There are even live cockroaches in the sink.

Insect Zoo visitors can have formal tours where entomologists or trained docents give an educational tour or they may have self directed tours. The displays detail information on the biology, habitat, importance, and distribution of the species. KSU's 1100 square foot insect zoo opened in 1999, and is housed in the former Dairy Barn on the Kansas State University Campus.

Our favorite display in the zoo is the Leafcutter ant display. You can watch an army of ants remove pieces of leaves and carry them through the large display, then through a clear hose and finally to the colony in a second case. The leaves are fed to fungus which provides nutrients for the ants.

The Kansas State University display gardens are quite nice. They were not very large the first few years we visited, but have been enlarged over time and even the driveway back to the Museum and garden parking is now nicely landscaped. There is a visitors center, but it is only open weekdays and special events. The conservatory (greenhouses) may also be open then.

Private family fun visits, field trips and group tours are available outside of the regular zoo hours and must be scheduled online. Insect Zoo tours may include feedings and the opportunity to handle some of the insects in the bug petting zoo. The price depends on the group size and what is done during the visit, with a minimum total charge of $28.

The display gardens are free. Together with the Insect Zoo they take about an hour to view. Combine them with Manhattan's Sunset Zoo and (if you are there on a weekday) the visitors center for a longer experience.

Kansas Stae University Gardens - Manhattan, Kansas
Kansas State University Gardens

Insect Zoo - Kansas State University
Insect Zoo entrance

insects on display in the bug zoo
Terrarium with a variety of insects


Honey Bee Hive

Leafcutter ant - Kansas State Insect Zoo
Leafcutter ants (Atta cephalotes)

Kansas State University display gardens surround the bug zoo/
KSU Display Garden - Manhattan, Kansas

Statue in the display garden
Sculpture by Kwan Wu


In the butterfly garden

Kansas State University fountain and display garden
Kansas State University Gardens are a popular photo location

Bug Zoo Map - Manhattan, Kansas
Insect Zoo

Zoos of Kansas       Insect Zoo  web site
Kansas Attractions    Kansas Travel & Tourism Home

copyright 2005-2022 by Keith Stokes