Entomica Insectarium

Date opened2014

Location50 Pim Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Websitewww.entomica.com

Entomica Insectarium
Interactive map of Entomica Insectarium
46°30′17″N 84°19′26″W / 46.5047°N 84.3239°W / 46.5047; -84.3239
Date opened	2014
Location	50 Pim Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Website	www.entomica.com

In its early years, Entomica Insectarium received positive attention for its interactive exhibits and educational programming, and was recognized locally for its contributions to science education.^[1]

In the mid-2020s, some visitors have expressed mixed views regarding their experience. Online reviews describe perceived changes in exhibit variety, staffing, and visitor engagement compared to earlier visits.^[2]

Some reviewers have also commented on exhibit conditions and customer service; however, such claims are based on user-generated content and have not been independently verified by reliable sources.^[2]

Despite these criticisms, other visitors continue to describe the insectarium as an engaging and educational attraction, particularly for families and children.^[2][3]

Entomica Insectarium is a charitable organization,^[4] and the first insectarium in Canada to be federally-approved to move their exotic insects off-site. As such, they have been delivering hands-on programs to schools, outreach programs, retirement residences and community events.^[5] Entomica received funding from the Ontario government, through the provincial Community Building Fund to build their online outreach activities.^[6] They have collaborated with local and regional partners, including the Art Gallery of Algoma, Clean North, Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site, the Great Lakes Forestry Centre, the Ontario Forest Research Institute, Outspoken Brewery, and Science North.^[7][8][9]

In 2007, Entomica and its bugs were invited to the Earth Day Weekend at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. Entomica has been involved with Science North for the Sault Ste. Marie Science Festival since 2017,^[10] and in 2022, brought their insects and arachnids across Northern Ontario alongside the Great Northern Ontario Roadshow.^[11]

Entomica Insectarium was host to The Amazing Race Canada 5, with contestants subjected to the 'Cockroach Cranium', where multiple species of cockroaches were dropped on contestants' heads in a Plexiglass enclosure.^[12][13]

The Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre took a larger role in the operation of the museum in 2024.^[14]