The Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavillion
# The Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavillion

The Insectarium was a museum about insects which was located in the northeast part of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

## History and features

The museum opened in 1992 and features displays of many types of live insects, mounted specimens, exhibits and hands-on activities. Examples of the live insects (and other arthropods) include honeybees, tarantulas, cockroaches, scorpions, spiders, praying mantis, millipedes, beetles, water bugs, ants, and crickets.

In 2017, the museum expanded and opened a 7,000-square-foot greenhouse for a year-round butterfly pavilion. At this time the business changed hands from Steve Kanya to John Cambridge.

Following a reported heist of rare live insects in 2018, the insectarium was the subject of a four-part, true crime documentary titled Bug Out that was released in 2022.

On March 13, 2023, the Insectarium filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Insectarium was then evicted by the sheriff on May 30, 2023. Rather than leaving the property peacefully, John Cambridge, spitefully wrecked and destroyed the property, putting the final nail in the coffin for any chance of the place reopening unless cleanup to the site occurs or if the site gets sold to a new owner that would be willing to reopen the site up once again.

