Montréal Insectarium
Museum Large insect museum in Montréal with global entomology exhibits
Part of Montreal’s Space for Life complex, the Montréal Insectarium displays insect specimens and live colonies with exhibits on entomology, biodiversity and research-popular with families and school groups.
The Montréal Insectarium is a museum in Montreal, Quebec, dedicated to insects and their role in ecosystems, combining live displays, preserved specimens and educational exhibits.
Galleries present insect diversity, life cycles, ecology and human-insect interactions with both live enclosures and large reference collections of pinned and preserved specimens. The facility commonly includes tropical and butterfly displays that require climate control and may have seasonal operation schedules.
Opened in the late 20th century, the Insectarium has developed collections and public programs focused on entomology and environmental education. It is managed alongside other Montreal natural-science institutions.
The Insectarium is located near the Montreal Botanical Garden in the city’s east end, as part of the area dedicated to natural-history institutions and green spaces.
- Setting and timing: Part of Montreal's network of natural science institutions and located next to the Montreal Botanical Garden; plan visits seasonally for live butterfly displays.
What to See #
- Exhibit galleries: Live insect exhibits and display galleries with preserved specimens and educational panels presenting insect diversity and biology.
- Live butterfly/tropical displays: Butterfly and tropical displays that house live lepidoptera in climate-controlled enclosures at certain times of year.
How to Get to Montréal Insectarium #
The Montréal Insectarium is part of the Space for Life complex in Montréal’s Parc Maisonneuve, next to the Botanical Garden and Olympic Park. Take the Montreal Metro Orange line to Pie‑IX or Viau station and walk about 10-15 minutes to the Insectarium (both stations provide straightforward pedestrian routes via Boulevard Pie‑IX). There is also parking around the botanical garden if you drive.
Tips for Visiting Montréal Insectarium #
- Visit the Insectarium early on a weekday to avoid school-group peaks-the facility is on the grounds of the Montreal Botanical Garden (Space for Life) and shares the site's heavy visitor flows.
- Combine the Insectarium with a visit to the adjacent Botanical Garden or Biodome on the same day to make the most of the location; check the Space for Life website for exhibit opening hours and special programs before you go.
- Don't skip the live displays and interpretive zones: these smaller, quieter sections often give a better close-up view of species than the main display halls and are easy to miss in a brief visit.
Best Time to Visit Montréal Insectarium #
Best visited in spring or autumn weekdays to avoid summer family crowds; winter visits offer a warm indoor respite from Montreal's cold.
Weather & Climate near Montréal Insectarium #
Montréal Insectarium's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -15°C to 28°C. Abundant rainfall (1013 mm/year), wettest in September, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -6°C and lows of -15°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -14°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 99 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -10°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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