News and Stories

If you’ve spent any time at the Cincinnati Zoo, especially early in the morning, you’ve probably seen World of the Insect keeper Kelli zooming around on a cart, armed with pole pruners, clippers, and an unmistakable sense of purpose. She’s not just out for a joyride—she’s on a daily mission to feed some of the pickiest eaters at the World of the Insect.

Kelli’s Buggy Buffet Service™ currently caters to four species of walking sticks, one species of grasshopper and two enormous leafcutter ant colonies. And let’s be clear—these insects aren’t just picky; they’re absolute divas when it comes to their meals. Their leafy feasts must be fresh, their favorite plant species must be exactly right, and they don’t care if it’s winter, summer, or the apocalypse—they expect to be fed!

One bug may not eat much in a day, but the Cincinnati Zoo has well over 400 walking sticks, 100 horse-headed grasshoppers and about 750,000 ants in our care – so the demand for fresh leaves never ends! That’s where Kelli comes in.

Nearly every day, she crisscrosses the zoo in search of perfect host plants, gathering five-foot branches to satisfy her clientele. You might spot Kelli behind the education parking lot, tucked behind a wall near the African penguins, or snipping away in the World of the Insect host plant garden (thanks, Horticulture!). She even makes trips to the greenhouse that she manages behind the scenes to keep up with demand. If it’s green and on their menu, she’s tracking it down.

So next time you see Kelli elbow-deep in a shrub, don’t be shy—ask her what’s on the menu! She might just introduce you to the fine art of feeding insects that demand only the best in leafy luxury.