Giant insects will take over ZooTampa during Bugtopia event

Families will be able to see the world through a bug’s perspective when the new Bugtopia event arrives at ZooTampa at Lowry Park.

Opening on Feb. 25, 2023, Bugtopia features more than a dozen larger-than-life animatronic insects to entertain and educate zoo guests. During the event, guests will “shrink down” to the size of insects to learn about the world around them from a much smaller point of view.

“Bugs are fascinating creatures, and we’re proud to be able to share them with guests of all ages in Bugropia,” said Chief Operating Office Scott Rose. “This exhibit is full of enormous animatronic bugs and insects that show what these animals look like close-up and how they’ve perfectly adapted to the world around them—our guests will never look at bugs the same way again.”

Some of the animatronic bugs on display at Bugtopia include a giant Mexican red knee tarantula and a 10-foot Emperor scorpion. There’s also a massive ladybug, an orb web spider, a stag beetle, a devil’s flower mantis, grasshoppers, moths, fireflies, bumblebees, and a colony of ants.

Bugtopia is free with zoo admission or membership. The event runs from Feb. 25 to April 30, 2023.

Zoo members can also get special previews of the event on on Feb. 24 (9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Feb. 25 (9 a.m. to noon), and Feb. 26 (9 a.m. to noon).

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Along with Bugtopia, ZooTampa is also bringing back its springtime hours. March 11-13, 2023, the zoo will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Then in March and April, the zoo will stay open until 7 p.m. on weekends.