The Insect Museum of Montreal
Insects are an important part of our world. They are everywhere and serve many important functions, from aerating soil to pollinating flowers. They are also fascinating to look at. The Montreal Insectarium is one of the largest insect museums in North America, and it houses both live insects and a vast collection of preserved specimens. It’s a place where visitors of all ages can learn more about this tiny world.
The museum opened in 1990, but closed for three years to undergo an extensive renovation project. Now reopened, it’s 40 per cent larger and has a broader scope than ever before. Designed by Berlin-based firm Kuehn Malvezzi with local firms Pelletier de Fontenay and Jodoin Lamarre Pratte architectes, the new Insectarium is a striking example of innovative museology that strives to transform our relationship with insects and help us develop a more positive attitude towards them.
As part of the larger Espace pour la Vie complex in Olympic Park, the Insectarium is surrounded by a variety of other attractions that can keep visitors busy for an entire day. A short walk takes you to the Montreal Botanical Garden, a Biodome with five ecosystems, and the Planetarium.
In the main building, the Chromatic Collection—a wall of preserved insects arranged by color—is a visual highlight. The 3,000 specimens are displayed in illuminated boxes that are lined up horizontally along walls covered with a sprayed-on concrete, known as shotcrete. This presentation evokes the visual effect of a frieze and gives the space the feel of a cavernous temple or underground labyrinth.
Throughout the building, the design team has incorporated immersive experiences that encourage visitors to take the perspective of insects and see the world through their eyes. This helps them better understand the complexities of insects, learn to coexist with them, and become agents for ecological sustainability.
To do this, the design team employed a range of innovative techniques and materials. For example, flickering panels mimic a fly’s eye view, while a room with a vibrating floor showcases how grasshoppers experience their surroundings. Another exhibit uses ultraviolet light to show how bees see, and tight squeezes demonstrate the way cockroaches force themselves through small crevices. For more details please visit montreal bug museum
Visitors can explore everything from the complex patterns on a butterfly’s wings to the microscopically thin legs of a beetle. They can also touch and interact with live insects, from tiny beetles to ant colonies, which are incredibly fascinating to observe as they go about their daily business. In addition, the Insectarium offers visitors the opportunity to taste edible insects like crickets and bumblebee larvae.
Whether you’re a seasoned entomologist or just curious about the amazing world of insects, the Insectarium is an unforgettable experience. It’s also a great place to visit with children. You’ll have fun looking at all the different insects and learn more about how they contribute to our planet’s ecology. And if you happen to be feeling brave, you can even try some of the insect dishes on offer at the Insectarium’s snack bar.