Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium

Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium Inspiring an appreciation and understanding of insects and their arthropod relatives.
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Don't miss out on our upcoming events!Check out our newest, unique offering, the Embodied Awareness and Sustainable Bein...
05/31/2026

Don't miss out on our upcoming events!
Check out our newest, unique offering, the Embodied Awareness and Sustainable Being Workshop.

A huge thank you to Bitterroot Flower Shop for donating fresh flowers for our bumble bee exhibit each week! 🌼🐝 Not only ...
05/30/2026

A huge thank you to Bitterroot Flower Shop for donating fresh flowers for our bumble bee exhibit each week! 🌼🐝 Not only do the flowers brighten the space, our bumble bees absolutely love them. Watching them forage, investigate, and wiggle around in fresh blooms is one of our favorite little daily joys.

Did you know that you can add Missoula Butterfly House & Insectarium admission tickets to your purchase when you’re ordering flowers from Bitterroot Flower Shop?

Thank you, Bitterroot Flower Shop, for helping us keep our bees happy, healthy, and well-fed!

As June is about to begin, Montana’s landscapes are alive with a growing diversity of insect activity. Wetlands, forests...
05/30/2026

As June is about to begin, Montana’s landscapes are alive with a growing diversity of insect activity. Wetlands, forests, grasslands, and gardens are now filled with pollinators, predators, decomposers, and other invertebrates taking advantage of longer days and warmer temperatures. From brilliantly patterned butterflies and moths to dragonflies, native bees, and parasitoid wasps, each species plays a unique role in supporting healthy ecosystems. This week’s What’s Buzzin’ explores some of the remarkable insects and arthropods currently active across the region and the important connections they share with the habitats around them.

Have you spotted an interesting insect, spider, or other arthropod in Montana? We’d love to see what you’re finding in the field. Community observations help us document seasonal activity and showcase the incredible diversity of invertebrate life across the state. You can submit sightings through our iNaturalist project or send photos to [email protected] for identification assistance. When sharing observations, please include the date, location, and your name so we can accurately record your sighting. Selected observations may be featured in future editions of What’s Buzzin’!

As the season continues, new species will keep emerging across Montana’s ecosystems. Be sure to check back each week for more insect highlights, seasonal activity, and recent discoveries from around the region.

Ever wanted to learn how museums turn insects into the beautifully preserved specimens you see in collections and displa...
05/28/2026

Ever wanted to learn how museums turn insects into the beautifully preserved specimens you see in collections and displays? 🦋🐞

Join MBHI Museum Interpreter and Naturalist Madeline Kleeman for a hands-on introduction to the art (and science) of insect pinning. You’ll learn how to prepare and pin your own specimens, work with real insects from our collection, and leave with 2–3 pinned insects of your own!

This year, our educator Carolyn, hosted our inaugural Biomimicry Challenge with students from St Ignatius and Russell el...
05/27/2026

This year, our educator Carolyn, hosted our inaugural Biomimicry Challenge with students from St Ignatius and Russell elementary. Students participating in our Biomimicry Challenge explored how nature solves problems and then used those lessons to design inventions of their own.

Biomimicry reminds us that some of the best ideas have already been tested by millions of years of evolution. By helping students look closely at the tiny creatures around them, we’re helping them build the curiosity and problem-solving skills they’ll carry into the future.

We can’t wait to see where their ideas take them! 🦋🐞🔬

Butterfly of the Week by Rob Taylor17 year-old Penelope, the Great Yellow Mormon butterfly (Papilio lowii), is in her go...
05/26/2026

Butterfly of the Week by Rob Taylor

17 year-old Penelope, the Great Yellow Mormon butterfly (Papilio lowii), is in her goth period. She likes to hang out in the shadows listening to The Cure while picking at her poorly applied press-on nails. If you've never experienced having eyes rolled at you through the thousands of lenses of a butterfly's compound eye, you're in for a treat because Penelope has a real bad attitude. "Whatever," she comments without emotion.

Ever wish that your stuffie could give you a big, warm squeeze? Wish no more! We've got a delightful lineup of huggables...
05/26/2026

Ever wish that your stuffie could give you a big, warm squeeze? Wish no more! We've got a delightful lineup of huggables that wrap around your arm in a cozy embrace. From bees to butterflies to dragonflies, we've got the whole flying crew ready to spread the love! So, take your cuddle game up a notch and let these snugglies give your kid a hug all the way home!

Don't miss out on our upcoming events!It's the last week to experience Butterfly House Yoga until the Fall!
05/24/2026

Don't miss out on our upcoming events!
It's the last week to experience Butterfly House Yoga until the Fall!

05/23/2026

New beetle day 🪲📦

Shipping live arthropods is a little more complicated than tossing them in a box and hoping for the best. Our bugs are shipped in packaging that will keep them the most comfortable in transit.

We open new arrivals in an enclosed space to make sure everyone arrived safely, we received the correct species, and most importantly, the beetles appear healthy before entering our collection.

Protecting the health of our current residents starts even before unboxing.

Montana’s insects are on the move as the season progresses, filling forests, rivers, and grasslands with an incredible v...
05/22/2026

Montana’s insects are on the move as the season progresses, filling forests, rivers, and grasslands with an incredible variety of life. From shimmering silkmoths and busy beetles to aquatic insects and hidden ground-dwellers, there’s always something new happening in the world beneath our feet.

What’s Buzzin’ highlights native Montana species and takes a closer look at their behavior, ecology, and the roles they play in keeping ecosystems connected and thriving. Every species tells a story about the habitats they depend on and the natural systems they support.

Have you spotted something interesting in Montana? We’d love to see it! If you find an insect you’d like help identifying, or just want to share an observation, you can submit it through our iNaturalist project or email [email protected]. Please include your name, the date, and location of your sighting. Selected submissions may be featured in future What’s Buzzin’ posts.

New insects, seasonal changes, and fresh discoveries appear every week—check back each Friday to see what’s buzzing around Montana! 🐝🐛🦋

Address

Missoula, MT

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

(406) 317-1211

Website

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