Insectarium - Fondation Espace pour la vie

An entomology nerve centre
The Insectarium is recognized in Québec and worldwide as a nerve centre where links are created between
research, collections development, dissemination and education.
For example, in 1994 the Insectarium created the Monarch Without Borders program in conjunction with
a University of Kansas research project called Monarch Watch, which is supported by Canada, the United
States and Mexico. Monarch Without Borders is a 21-day scientific program that gives students and their
teachers an opportunity to explore the monarch butterfly’s life cycle and watch in awe, from the comfort of
the classroom, as caterpillars become butterflies. Every year, the program distributes over 1,000 monarch
breeding kits. The 5,000 or so butterflies that emerge are identified with a tiny tag and released into nature by
the students. Tagged butterflies later found are a vital source of data that enable researchers to learn more
about the monarch’s migration routes so that the species can be better protected.

The Insectarium also operates an entomological information service to provide the public with
information on insects. Every year, entomologists handle over 1,350 requests from the public.
Also, the Insectarium’s Web site receives over 700,000 visits a year from people wanting to
learn more about entomology.
Telephone: 514 872-1400
4581 Sherbrooke Street East,
Montréal, Québec
H1X 2B2
›› Photo credit:
››
››
››
››
Insectarium
Étienne Boucher Cazabon
Andre Rider
A. Sarrazin
Telephone: 514 872-6956
Fax: 514 872-8438
[email protected]
spaceforlifefoundation.ca
4101 Sherbrooke Street East
Montréal, Québec
H1X 2B2
Creating
park
life
a great public
a space
for
,
Insectarium
Scientific Collections
and Involvement
Every year, over 350,000 visitors immerse themselves in the fascinating world of insects as
brought to life at Montréal’s Insectarium. As North America’s only museum dedicated entirely
to entomology (insect science), the Insectarium helps raise public awareness about insects’
amazing diversity and role in maintaining nature’s balance.
First opened in 2011, the permanent exhibition entitled “We, Insects” showcases over 3,000 mounted
specimens along with a hundred or so live ones. The exhibit shows us that insects are true superheroes,
having adapted in astonishing ways to survive in extremely varied environments. Thanks to the Insectarium’s
scientific facilitators, who guide visitors with finesse, humour and a touch of the theatrical, visitors discover
these tiny but incredibly useful creatures and emerge with a much more positive attitude toward them. The
exhibit entitled “Busy Bodies” shines the spotlight on ants and bees, whose survival depends on the welldefined role of each member of the community.
An Immersive Experience
Since 1998, the “Butterflies Go Free” event has been
a steady draw. In the coldest depths of winter, some
150,000 visitors meander through a lush subtropical
forest where over 1,500 butterflies flutter by, shuttling
between flowers and feeders and feasting on nectar
and fresh fruit. Visitors of all ages are astounded by the
butterflies’ beauty and variety, not to mention overjoyed
by the close encounters to be had with these delicate
creatures. In addition to providing visitors with the sheer
pleasure of being surrounded by so many butterflies,
the event is a great opportunity for the Insectarium’s
scientific facilitators to teach visitors about butterflies’
roles and diversity, as well as about conservation
efforts. In summer, visitors can explore the BuzzGround,
an area designed for play, activities and discovery—it’s
also educational, fun and hands-on! Much to the delight
of budding entomologists, the BuzzGround features an
outdoor butterfly tent and aquatic insects, along with
interactive modules and activities.
The Insectarium is home to a collection of
200,000 mounted insect specimens from
around the globe, with a special focus on insects
from Québec. The collection was developed over
the years thanks to contributions from generous
donors, such as Georges Brossard, Brother
Firmin Laliberté, and Gilles Deslisle.
The Montréal Insectarium was created
in 1990 thanks to a Québec-wide public
awareness campaign launched by
passionate, self-taught entomologist
Georges Brossard.
Since it opened, a wealth of factors have
helped solidify the Insectarium’s resounding
success: young people’s natural interest in
and fascination for insects; the museum’s
visibility throughout Québec, which is due
in no small part to the travelling exhibits
that .reach over 50,000 people a year.
Thanks to its range of enticing activities,
the Insectarium has earned the recognition
of the professional entomology community
and museums.
Insectarium
Scientific Collections
and Involvement
Every year, over 350,000 visitors immerse themselves in the fascinating world of insects as
brought to life at Montréal’s Insectarium. As North America’s only museum dedicated entirely
to entomology (insect science), the Insectarium helps raise public awareness about insects’
amazing diversity and role in maintaining nature’s balance.
First opened in 2011, the permanent exhibition entitled “We, Insects” showcases over 3,000 mounted
specimens along with a hundred or so live ones. The exhibit shows us that insects are true superheroes,
having adapted in astonishing ways to survive in extremely varied environments. Thanks to the Insectarium’s
scientific facilitators, who guide visitors with finesse, humour and a touch of the theatrical, visitors discover
these tiny but incredibly useful creatures and emerge with a much more positive attitude toward them. The
exhibit entitled “Busy Bodies” shines the spotlight on ants and bees, whose survival depends on the welldefined role of each member of the community.
An Immersive Experience
Since 1998, the “Butterflies Go Free” event has been
a steady draw. In the coldest depths of winter, some
150,000 visitors meander through a lush subtropical
forest where over 1,500 butterflies flutter by, shuttling
between flowers and feeders and feasting on nectar
and fresh fruit. Visitors of all ages are astounded by the
butterflies’ beauty and variety, not to mention overjoyed
by the close encounters to be had with these delicate
creatures. In addition to providing visitors with the sheer
pleasure of being surrounded by so many butterflies,
the event is a great opportunity for the Insectarium’s
scientific facilitators to teach visitors about butterflies’
roles and diversity, as well as about conservation
efforts. In summer, visitors can explore the BuzzGround,
an area designed for play, activities and discovery—it’s
also educational, fun and hands-on! Much to the delight
of budding entomologists, the BuzzGround features an
outdoor butterfly tent and aquatic insects, along with
interactive modules and activities.
The Insectarium is home to a collection of
200,000 mounted insect specimens from
around the globe, with a special focus on insects
from Québec. The collection was developed over
the years thanks to contributions from generous
donors, such as Georges Brossard, Brother
Firmin Laliberté, and Gilles Deslisle.
The Montréal Insectarium was created
in 1990 thanks to a Québec-wide public
awareness campaign launched by
passionate, self-taught entomologist
Georges Brossard.
Since it opened, a wealth of factors have
helped solidify the Insectarium’s resounding
success: young people’s natural interest in
and fascination for insects; the museum’s
visibility throughout Québec, which is due
in no small part to the travelling exhibits
that .reach over 50,000 people a year.
Thanks to its range of enticing activities,
the Insectarium has earned the recognition
of the professional entomology community
and museums.
An entomology nerve centre
The Insectarium is recognized in Québec and worldwide as a nerve centre where links are created between
research, collections development, dissemination and education.
For example, in 1994 the Insectarium created the Monarch Without Borders program in conjunction with
a University of Kansas research project called Monarch Watch, which is supported by Canada, the United
States and Mexico. Monarch Without Borders is a 21-day scientific program that gives students and their
teachers an opportunity to explore the monarch butterfly’s life cycle and watch in awe, from the comfort of
the classroom, as caterpillars become butterflies. Every year, the program distributes over 1,000 monarch
breeding kits. The 5,000 or so butterflies that emerge are identified with a tiny tag and released into nature by
the students. Tagged butterflies later found are a vital source of data that enable researchers to learn more
about the monarch’s migration routes so that the species can be better protected.

The Insectarium also operates an entomological information service to provide the public with
information on insects. Every year, entomologists handle over 1,350 requests from the public.
Also, the Insectarium’s Web site receives over 700,000 visits a year from people wanting to
learn more about entomology.
Telephone: 514 872-1400
4581 Sherbrooke Street East,
Montréal, Québec
H1X 2B2
›› Photo credit:
››
››
››
››
Insectarium
Étienne Boucher Cazabon
Andre Rider
A. Sarrazin
Telephone: 514 872-6956
Fax: 514 872-8438
[email protected]
spaceforlifefoundation.ca
4101 Sherbrooke Street East
Montréal, Québec
H1X 2B2
Creating
park
life
a great public
a space
for
,