Visitors to the Newfoundland Insectarium will have the opportunity to view thousands of different insect species. The main exhibits consist of preserved or "mounted" specimens with live insects interspersed. Along with the main insect exhibits there is also a butterfly house, featuring hundreds of live tropical butterflies, and a walking trail.
The main exhibit level is divided into six zoographical zones, each showcasing insects from a different geographical region. A massive world map outlines each of these zones and what countries they include. There is a special section devoted solely to the insects of Newfoundland and Labrador.
One of the most exciting features of the Insectarium is the glass beehive, which houses thousands of live honeybees. The hive offers an excellent oppotunity to see into the lives of a honeybee colony. The bees have access to the outdoors, where they travel to collect nectar and pollen in order to produce honey. The glass beehive exhibit gives a thorough view of the nature of a honeybee colony.
Visitors can rest their feet and take in an educational video in the theatre, where episodes of the television series 'Insectia' are shown. Insectia follows the journeys of world-famous entomologist Georges Brossard as he travels the earth in search of insect specimens.
The Newfoundland Insectarium's butterfly house was added in 2002 and has become the most popular feature at the facility. It contains hundreds of live tropical butterflies in a natural setting including a small pond with goldfish and koi. The butterflies featured are almost exclusively tropical species, including the magnificent Blue Morpho, the Owl butterfly, and the delicate heliconidae.
The butterflies are free-flying and often land on people as they wander the butterfly house. A magnificent tropical butterfly on your shoulder makes for a great photo. The butterfly house is popular with all age groups from preschoolers to senior citizens.
The walking trail weaves through fields and wooded areas, taking the visitor to the magnificent Humber River and Rocky Brook. Songbirds are abundant along the trail and one may even spot beavers, muskrats, ducks, or geese from the viewing deck near the pond. Walking the half-kilometre trail takes about 20 minutes.
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