Insect MANIAC

From November 8 to February 1 the Nagoya City Science Museum will host the special exhibition “Insect MANIAC” in the Event Hall on the basement level 2 of the Science and Technology Building. The exhibition offers a unique perspective on the world of insects, combining insights from researchers at the National Museum of Nature and Science with carefully selected, unusual insect specimens. Visitors can explore the astonishing diversity of insects and other arthropods, including spiders and centipedes, through engaging displays and the latest research findings.

Exhibition Highlights

• Expertly Curated Specimens: Researchers provide in-depth explanations of both familiar and rare insects. The exhibit emphasises the fascinating diversity of insects and encourages visitors to explore their complexity from a scientific perspective.

• Giant Insect Models: Five large-scale insect models, supervised in detail by researchers, are on display. These realistic, intricately designed models bring the miniature world of insects to life.

• Rare and Unseen Insects: From beetles exceeding 10 cm in length to microscopic wasps under 1 mm, the exhibition showcases a variety of extraordinary insects rarely seen in daily life.

• Multi-Sensory Insect Experiences: Visitors can experience insects through sight, touch, smell, and sound, offering a fully immersive encounter with the insect world.

• Insects and Human Life: Displays explore the interactions between humans and insects, including methods of studying and collecting insects, highlighting their presence in daily life.

• Nagoya-Exclusive Autumn and Winter Insects: While insects are often associated with summer, the exhibition highlights species active during autumn and winter, presenting a seasonal perspective on insect life.

The Insect MANIAC exhibition will feature two special lectures during its run, both conducted in Japanese. On November 8, a lecture titled “Are Insects MANIAC!?” will explore the exhibition’s highlights, offering behind-the-scenes insights from researchers and showcasing rare insect specimens not included in the main displays. This session will be led by Tatsuya Ide, Senior Researcher in the Department of Zoology at the National Museum of Nature and Science, and is free to attend for exhibition ticket holders, with a maximum of 200 participants.

Later, on December 13, illustrator and author Ko Tatsuno will present “Following the Dung Beetle”, a lecture focusing on the life of the glittering dung beetle Alloecus centricornis. Tatsuno will share both humorous and unexpected discoveries from his research. Attendance requires pre-registration through the exhibition’s online portal, with applications accepted from October 24 to November 27, 2025.

Night Museum

The Night Museum offers visitors the opportunity to explore the Insect MANIAC exhibition after regular hours, using flashlights to observe insects in a nocturnal setting. This unique experience will be held on December 13, 2025, and January 17, 2026, from 17:30 to 19:30. The event is divided into three sessions each evening, with a maximum of 100 participants per session. Attendance requires a prior reservation and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.