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The Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion

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Coordinates: 40°02′32″N 75°01′35″W / 40.0423°N 75.0263°W / 40.0423; -75.0263
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Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion, Botanical Garden construction, January 2017

The Insectarium was a museum about insects which was located in the northeast part of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

History and features

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The museum opened in 1992 and features displays of many types of live insects, mounted specimens, exhibits and hands-on activities. Examples of the live insects (and other arthropods) include honeybees, tarantulas, cockroaches, scorpions, spiders, praying mantis, millipedes, beetles, water bugs, ants, and crickets.

In 2017, the museum expanded and opened a 7,000-square-foot greenhouse for a year-round butterfly pavilion. At this time the business changed hands from Steve Kanya to John Cambridge. [1]

Following a reported heist of rare live insects in 2018, the insectarium was the subject of a four-part, true crime documentary titled Bug Out that was released in 2022.[2]

On March 13, 2023, the Insectarium filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Insectarium was then evicted by the sheriff on May 30, 2023. Following the eviction, building's owner reported the building has been damaged.[3] When the estate's attorney and the sheriff's deputy arrived, all the toilets, urinals, mirrors and windows were smashed.[4] The animals from the museum have been moved to a conservation group called Wild Things Preserve.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "A bug's life". Northeast Times. October 18, 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  2. ^ Vadala, Nick (March 4, 2022). "Philadelphia's Insectarium had $40,000 worth of creatures stolen in 2018. A new true crime series, 'Bug Out,' tells the story". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
  3. ^ "Philadelphia Insectarium files for bankruptcy after being ordered to pay $928K in foreclosure judgment". Philadelphia Inquirer. March 13, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Yu, Alan (June 1, 2023). "Philadelphia Insectarium evicted: 'Every window and every mirror was shattered'". WHYY. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
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40°02′32″N 75°01′35″W / 40.0423°N 75.0263°W / 40.0423; -75.0263

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