After Dark

A Nocturnal Insect Walk

• Thursday, July 9, 2026 — 7:30 pm - 10 pm

Head into the garden at night and discover the fascinating world of nocturnal insects with local entomologist Bill Reynolds

The program begins with a 30-minute indoor presentation where Bill will introduce some of the insects we might find at night and talk about methods to collect nocturnal insects.

After the talk, participants will head outside for a one-hour exploration of the JCRA gardens. Using light traps and other collection materials, Bill will guide the group in finding moths, beetles and other nocturnal insects.

Program Tip: Make sure to bring a water bottle, a small flashlight and be ready to spend time outdoors in the dark!

About Bill Reynolds

Bill Reynolds brings a lifelong passion for the natural world to his role as Horticultural Supervisor of Research, Field Trials and Production at Juniper Level Botanical Garden. Originally from central Florida, Bill has explored the connections between plants, insects, and their environments throughout his career. He earned his B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from the University of North Alabama and pursued graduate work in Entomology and Evolutionary Biology at Auburn University.

Before joining JLBG, Bill served as Curator of the Arthropod Zoo and Registrar at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, where he managed live invertebrate collections and permitting. An avid naturalist, his interests span botany, entomology, and paleontology—and his personal collections of insects, plants, and fossils reflect a lifetime devoted to discovery.