# Audubon Insectarium

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audubon_Insectarium
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{{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](/source/New_Orleans), [Louisiana](/source/Louisiana), [United States](/source/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](/source/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](/source/insectarium) and [entomology](/source/entomology) museum in [New Orleans](/source/New_Orleans), [Louisiana](/source/Louisiana), United States. As part of its move from its previous location at the [U.S. Custom House Federal Building](/source/U.S._Custom_House_(New_Orleans)) to the site of the [Audubon Aquarium](/source/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](/source/Thea_(award)) 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](/source/Audubon_Nature_Institute) complex, it was located on the first floor of the [U.S. Custom House Federal Building](/source/U.S._Custom_House_(New_Orleans)). 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](/source/COVID-19_pandemic_in_the_United_States). Some of the Insectarium's exhibits will be relocated to space within the [Aquarium](/source/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}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Museums in New Orleans
Category:Insectariums
Category:Natural history museums in Louisiana
Category:Zoos in Louisiana

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Audubon Insectarium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audubon_Insectarium) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audubon_Insectarium?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.