Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium

06/23/2026

There are still tickets for our special screening of The Little Things that Run the World tonight (6/23) at the Roxy!

Celebrate Pollinator Week in the sweet air conditioning and a bowl of popcorn at your favorite local theater with the Missoula Butterfly House and Missoula County Department of Ecology and Extension.

Doors open at 7 PM and the screening will start at 7:30 PM. We hope to see you there 🦋

06/22/2026

Don't miss out on our limited Summer events!
Some of our upcoming events are already sold out, but there’s still more on the calendar! Don’t wait too long, these tend to go fast 🦋

Sign up for our weekly email newsletter so you don't miss a thing.
https://www.missoulabutterflyhouse.org/newsletters/

06/22/2026

Celebrate Pollinator Week beyond the garden!

Our gift shop is full of butterfly-inspired goodies for pollinator lovers of all ages. From local honey and jewelry to stickers and socks, every purchase helps support our mission to connect people with the incredible animals that help our world bloom.

06/21/2026

Happy Pollinator Week! 🌼🐝🦋

When most people think of pollinators, they picture honey bees. But Montana's pollinators include hundreds of native bee species, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, hummingbirds, and even wasps! All play an important role in keeping ecosystems healthy.

As these animals move from flower to flower, they help plants reproduce, supporting everything from wildflowers and forests to many of the fruits and vegetables we enjoy. In fact, nearly 90% of flowering plant species rely on animal pollinators to reproduce.

You don't need a huge garden to make a difference. Planting native flowers, leaving a patch of bare ground for nesting bees, reducing pesticide use, or simply letting a few dandelions bloom can provide valuable habitat and food.

This Pollinator Week, take a moment to appreciate the little creatures that quietly keep our world growing. They may be small, but their impact is enormous.

06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day to all the dads, grandpas, stepdads, uncles, and father figures out there!

Today, we're celebrating one of the arthropod world's most dedicated fathers: the Giant Water Bug.

While many animals leave parenting to the mothers, giant water bugs do things a little differently. Females lay their eggs directly onto the male's back, and from that point on, dad takes over. He carries the eggs everywhere he goes, protects them from predators, and keeps them healthy until they hatch. Researchers have even found that female giant water bugs prefer males that are already caring for eggs.

If you're looking for a fun way to celebrate Father's Day, bring the family by for a buggy adventure and meet some of nature's most fascinating dads up close.

06/20/2026

06/20/2026

People always tell us how relaxing the Butterfly House is, and they're right! 🦋🌼

Even on a busy day, there's something about watching butterflies drift through the plants that makes everything feel a little less hectic. We are so lucky to get to experience it every day.

06/20/2026

Did you know that any Zootown Music Festival goer can access the wonders of the Missoula Butterfly House for free with their ticket from 1:30 PM - 5 PM on festival days? Follow the butterflies from the main stage!

06/20/2026

With the summer solstice just around the corner, Montana's invertebrate world is reaching one of its busiest times of year. Nearly every habitat is alive with activity, from dragonflies cruising over ponds to bees visiting blooming wildflowers and beetles exploring the forest floor. As the season continues to unfold, new species emerge while others reach the height of their activity. This week's What's Buzzin' takes a closer look at a few of the remarkable arthropods currently active across the state.

Have you spotted an interesting insect, spider, or other arthropod in Montana? We'd love to hear about it! 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 email photos to [email protected] for identification assistance. When sharing observations, please include the date, location, and your name so we can accurately document your record. Your submission may even be featured in a future edition of What's Buzzin'!

Montana's arthropod community is constantly changing throughout the season. We'll continue highlighting some of the remarkable insects, spiders, and other invertebrates being found across the state in the weeks ahead.

06/18/2026

Heading to the fairgrounds June 19–20? While the music is playing outside, the butterflies will be flying inside.

We'll be open regular hours throughout Zootown Music Festival, so if you're looking for a quieter corner of the fairgrounds (and a few winged friends), we've got you covered. 🦋🎶

Free admission from 1:30 PM - 5 PM on both June 19th and June 20th with proof of ticket