The Entomica Insectarium in Sault Ste. Marie

I am glad my family and I visited the Entomica insectarium in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The visit helped us see how insects are important for vegetation, wildlife, and the eco-system. Getting to take an up-close look at the different insects during the tour by an expert in the insectarium really helped us see how each insect is unique. We enjoyed touching, holding, and observing the different insects from around the world. I felt this visit has helped us to become more empathetic towards insects.

As the tour guide took the different insects out of the terrariums to give us a closer look, we were able to see how special each of the insects are and ask questions. I am sure that the features of these intriguing species inspires many artists to create the fictional characters we see in many alien themed shows, as it reminded us of some of the characters. We were excited that during the tour, we had a chance to get a background on the different insects and understand more about what they eat, what makes each of them special, and to understand them better. We saw many insects at the Entomica other than the once we have featured on this post. 

The African Giant Land Snail is a herbivore that usually eats plant material, fruit and vegetable, and sometimes also eats sand, small stones, bones from carcasses and concrete, as it needs this calcium source for its shell. 

We enjoyed touching the fleshy and slightly mucous like body and watching the snail curl and open up. This giant land snail can thrive in many habitats with mild climates, and is listed to be one of the top 100 invasive species in the world as it can spread human diseases and cause severe damage to agricultural crops and native plants.

This Madagascar Hissing Cockroach does not have wings in their adult stage like their cockroach cousins. They can push out air from spiracles to make an aggressive hissing sound you heard in the above video, as a defense mechanism to frighten away predators. They live on forest floors and scavenge by night for fruit and plant material.

This Malayan Jungle Nymph is found in the tropical forests around the Malay Archipelago. The female adults can grow 7 inches and are bright light green in colour, they are flightless and have small pinkish wings that flash to startle predators. The males have a dull brown colour and are half the size of females, they can fly short distances. The body of the jungle Nymph is covered with spines, which allow them to blend into thorny plants that they live and feed on. They have larger spikes on their back legs which are quite prickly.

This leaf insect found in the tropics of Philippines and Indonesian front islands Ambon and Sulawesi can blend to their environment to protect themselves from predators. Their wings have venation similar to the leaves they live on and when they walk it appears as though they are moving with the wind. The hind wings of adult males allow them to make short flights.

We have been to other insectariums before, but haven't had a closer learning experience as we did at the Entomica. I think everyone should visit the Entomica, as it will change our perspective towards the beauty and how special each insect is.

This attraction is open Wednesdays from 12pm to 6pm, Saturdays 10am to 3pm, and Sundays 11am to 3pm. The Entomica is located in the Mill Market building at 35 Canal Drive in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

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