Sault Ste. Marie Insectarium (Entomica)

The Sault Ste. Marie Insectarium, also known as Entomica, is a Canadian nonprofit insectarium and natural history museum located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Established in 2014 initially at the Mill Market, Entomica relocated to the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre in February 2020. It operates as a charitable organization focused on insect science education and public engagement[2][3].

History and Development

Entomica opened its doors in 2014 as the first insectarium in Canada federally approved to transport exotic insects off-site. This capability allows the organization to provide interactive, educational programs involving live insects to schools, community events, and retirement residences across the region. Their outreach initiatives expanded with funding from the Ontario provincial Community Building Fund, supporting online education efforts[3].

In 2024, faced with operational and financial challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Entomica signed a one-year management agreement with the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre. Under this agreement, the Bushplane Centre assumed a larger role in Entomica's day-to-day operations, including bookkeeping, marketing, staff training, and strategic planning to ensure long-term sustainability[5].

Programs and Collaborations

Entomica delivers a variety of hands-on programs designed to foster appreciation and understanding of insects and related arthropods. The insectarium’s live exhibits include exotic insects, amphibians, reptiles, and birds, which they showcase both at their venue and during outreach activities.

The organization has collaborated with multiple regional and local partners, including the Art Gallery of Algoma, Science North, Clean North, and the Great Lakes Forestry Centre, among others. These partnerships help broaden the educational reach and community impact of Entomica’s programs[3].

Notable Events and Media Appearances

In 2007, the organization and its living insect collection were featured during Earth Day Weekend at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. Since 2017, Entomica has participated in the Sault Ste. Marie Science Festival in collaboration with Science North. In 2022, they expanded outreach by traveling across Northern Ontario as part of the Great Northern Ontario Roadshow[3].

Entomica also gained national attention when it was featured on The Amazing Race Canada 5. Contestants faced the ‘Cockroach Cranium’ challenge, which involved several species of cockroaches inside a Plexiglass enclosure on their heads, showcasing the insectarium’s unique interactive experiences[3].

Admission and Visitor Experience

The insectarium operates Tuesday through Sunday, offering general admission and family-friendly pricing. Adventure passes are available that provide access to both Entomica and the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Museum. Visitors have praised the knowledgeable staff and the engaging hands-on opportunities with live insects, making it a popular educational destination for families[1].

Business registration number: 726693492RR0001
Location: Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Type: Not-for-profit charitable organization focused on insect education and natural history
Established: 2014

The Sault Ste. Marie Insectarium continues to serve as an important centre for entomological education in Canada, promoting awareness and appreciation of insect biodiversity through its exhibits, outreach, and community collaborations[2][3][5].

[1] https://www.entomica.com [2] https://www.entomica.com/about-1 [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entomica_Insectarium [4] https://fundrazr.com/profiles/sault-ste-marie-insectarium-entomica [5] https://www.saultstar.com/news/entomica-turning-over-a-new-leaf