Do you love bugs? Well I know a place that just recently reopened that specializes in them: the Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium! The Insectarium is an educational facility that is trying to improve the awareness surrounding all different types of bugs.
Originally founded in 2009, bug enthusiasts at the Butterfly Pavilion based in Colorado began trying to build a butterfly house here in Missoula. Throughout the years leading up to the big build “bug ambassadors” were brought to Missoula in hopes of educating the public about these arthropods, and they had great success.
The Missoula Insectarium was opened on June 25, 2015. The Insectarium contained many live species of bugs both from here in Montana and from all around the world. There was a specific focus on educating preschool through 8th grade children, but the insectarium was available for people of all ages.
For the next four years the Insectarium continued to educate the public through interactive exhibits and educational programs. But in 2019, it unfortunately had to close due to an expired lease and no opportunity to extend it, so the bug enthusiasts had to look for other options. And they found one.
On Dec. 6 2023 they had their grand reopening as the Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium. They had a new location at 1075 South Ave W. and due to this new facility they were able to build a tropical butterfly house for visitors to explore.
The new Insectarium has a plethora of activities for people of all ages to enjoy. Including many live arthropods such as tarantulas, crickets, cockroaches, and many more. Visitors are able to observe and hold many of these creatures as they explore the facility.
And, of course, patrons are able to enter into the world of butterflies when they go into the tropical butterfly house, which sits at 80 degrees for butterflies from all over the world to live comfortably. Visitors are able to get up close and personal with the butterflies, in fact many butterflies land on people as they walk about the house.
The Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium is open Tuesday through Sunday, walk-ins are available Tuesday through Friday. It is a super fun and interesting place to explore when you have some free time and feel like learning something new.
