{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox zoo |zoo_name = Audubon Insectarium |logo = |logo_caption = |image = MP - Insectarium 1.jpg |image_caption = Previous Main entrance, U.S. Custom House |location = New Orleans, Louisiana, United States |date_opened = June 13, 2008<ref name="nola"/> |date_closed = |coordinates = {{Coord|29.950012|-90.063968|type:landmark_scale:1000|display=it}} |area = |floorspace = {{convert|23000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}<ref name=newyorktimes>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/02/arts/design/02inse.html|title=At the Insectarium, Getting Down With All That Skitters, Buzzes or Crawls|first=Edward|last=Rothstein |publisher=The New York Times {{subscription required}}|date=August 2, 2008|accessdate=June 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125044306/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/02/arts/design/02inse.html|archive-date=January 25, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> |num_species = |num_animals = |largest_tank_vol = |total_tank_vol = |annual_visitors = |members = |exhibits = |website = {{URL|https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/insectarium}} }} The '''Audubon Insectarium''' is an insectarium and entomology museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. As part of its move from its previous location at the U.S. Custom House Federal Building to the site of the Audubon Aquarium, the museum reopened on June 8, 2023.<ref name=nola-closure/>
The Insectarium opened on June 13, 2008.<ref name="nola">{{cite web |url=http://blog.nola.com/entertainment/2008/06/audubon_insectarium_to_open_ne.html |title=Audubon Insectarium to open next Friday |first=Keith I. |last=Marszalek |work=nola.com |publisher=New Orleans Net, LLC |date=June 4, 2008 |accessdate=June 30, 2012 }}</ref> In 2009, it was awarded the Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Science Center.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://themeit.com/thea_15annual/articles/Nature.pdf |title=Engaging with Nature - Insectarium at the Audubon Nature Institute |publisher=Themed Entertainment Association |page=12 |accessdate=June 30, 2012 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221024410/http://themeit.com/thea_15annual/articles/Nature.pdf|archivedate=December 21, 2010}}</ref>
Part of the Audubon Nature Institute complex, it was located on the first floor of the U.S. Custom House Federal Building. With more than 50 live exhibits and numerous multimedia elements, the {{convert|23000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} facility was the largest free-standing American museum dedicated to insects.<ref name=newyorktimes/>
In September 2020, the Audubon Nature Institute announced the temporary closure of the Insectarium, owing to revenue shortages caused by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Some of the Insectarium's exhibits will be relocated to space within the Aquarium.<ref name="nola-closure">{{cite web|first=Jerry|last=DiColo|date=September 5, 2020|url=https://www.nola.com/news/article_e915dc52-ef0a-11ea-bcad-8357e9284d89.html|title=Crippled by tourism drop, Audubon to shutter Insectarium; eyes move of exhibits to Aquarium|location=New Orleans, Louisiana|publisher=NOLA.com {{subscription required}}|access-date=April 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328093555/https://www.nola.com/news/article_e915dc52-ef0a-11ea-bcad-8357e9284d89.html|archive-date=March 28, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
<!-- Commented out until the museum opens again ==Exhibits and attractions== ;Underground Gallery Giant animatronic insects and oversized exhibits give guests a bug's eye view of the insect world.
;Louisiana Swamp Gallery The sights and sounds of the Louisiana wetlands are depicted with aquatic animals and special effects.
;Termite Gallery Formosan termites can be seen eating through a wooden skyline of New Orleans.
;Butterfly Garden A garden populated by hundreds of live butterflies with which guests can interact.
;Metamorphosis Gallery A working husbandry lab where an insect's entire life cycle is depicted.
;Hall of Fame Gallery Preserved examples of some of the world's biggest, fastest, and most impressive insects.
;Awards Night A comic film with animated insect characters voiced by Jay Leno, Joan Rivers, and Brad Garrett. ''Awards Night'' takes visitors to a red carpet event for bugs; the experience is enhanced by special in-theater effects and animated seats.
;Bug Appétit Guests can watch chefs incorporate bugs into their dishes and sample some of their exotic creations. -->
==Notes== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Commons category-inline|Audubon Insectarium}} *{{Official website|https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/insectarium}}
{{Zoos of Louisiana}}
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Category:Museums in New Orleans Category:Insectariums Category:Natural history museums in Louisiana Category:Zoos in Louisiana