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As an entomologist with nearly 30 years of experience, I see a real need for an Insectarium as a learning center. We are looking for investors who can help us start up an Insectarium/Museum. The Insectarium/Museum will serve as a living class room with on site teaching facilities. I have decades of experience teaching entomology to all age groups and all other staff would be equally trained. In addition to the onsite learning center, docents would provide hands on experience with some of the arthropods maintained at the Insectarium. Many children (people) today are disconnected from the natural environment, not realizing the significance arthropods play in our lives. It will be an eye opener for people of all age levels.
Historically insects have had a major impact on settling the western United States, with plagues such as the grasshoppers to hit Utah in 1848. In other parts of the world plagues continue to this very day. Dioramas would showcase the major insect impacts on human civilizations. Insects were worshipped in ancient Egypt. Insects are also used as food sources by many cultures, an outlet that will also be showcased at the Insectarium.
The Insectarium would include hundreds of living arthropods including leaf insects, praying mantis, beetles, cockroaches, millipedes, centipedes, scorpions, and spiders, crabs and lobsters, etc.
A key component of the tarantula display would be the genus Brachypelma. All Brachypelma tarantulas (21 species) are protected by CITES Appendix II. Trade in these species is restricted, without captive breeding programs for many of the species in place. As an entomologist with experience rearing this genus and other genera of spiders, the Insectarium could significantly benefit toward maintaining viable captive reared populations of these key species. We could interface with other museums and zoos to create needed Species Survival Plans.
Other exhibits would include large living displays featuring coconut crabs the largest living arthropods today, at 9 pounds and a 16 inch leg span. This would go along with a display featuring models of the giant Permian insects, three foot dragonflies, giant scorpions and cockroaches.
Many friends, colleagues, and others say there is a real need for this type of facility in this portion of the United State. The Insectarium would see a high volume of traffic, and serve as a local and long distance learning center. There is a need for such a center and the business would thrive. It could also serve as a great corporate advertisement, especially from those in the pesticide and/or teaching industries. I already have experience working with the USDA-Aphis, in obtaining the required permits needed for keeping exotic arthropods.