At the InsectPark Nature Centre, you can see free exhibitions such as “Monte Abantos y la Herrería”, “Pollination” and “The Isabelina Butterfly”. And also fee-paying exhibitions including “Game room: I Spy”, “Butterflies of our environment”, “Insect curiosities”, “Immense biodiversity”, “The traveler butterfly”, “Spooky critters” and “C.I.T.E.S. Protected Species”.
MONTE ABANTOS Y LA HERRERÍA
In this exhibition, which is free and open to the public, you will learn about the history, curiosities and everything that makes up the natural environment that surrounds the InsectPark Nature Centre. Get to know the flora and fauna of the Pinar de Abantos and the Bosque de la Herrería, and enjoy their beauty and diversity.
POLLINATION
This exhibition is located in the “Butterfly Garden” and is completely free of charge. An opportunity to observe different types of plants and how they reproduce, as well as to learn more about pollination and how insects influence this symbiotic process.
THE ISABELINA BUTTERFLY
This spectacular butterfly, a unique Iberian endemism and emblem of Spanish forestry engineers, was discovered on the northern slope of Monte Abantos (very close to the centre) and can be seen live throughout the year in its different stages of egg, larva, chrysalis and butterfly.
We dedicate a specific section to this very special protected species in which we explain its biology and singularities, thus presenting what is considered “the most beautiful moth in Europe”. The visit is free and open to the public.
GAME ROOM: I SPY
An exhibition of live fauna to play the famous “I spy” game. The exhibition is made up of tropical insects that have been bred in a controlled environment in their air-conditioned terrariums with the temperature and humidity they need. You will find several species of mimetic Orthoptera that you will have to play at finding them.
The integration of some insects with their environment is incredibly amazing. By camouflaging themselves as if they were plant elements, leaf and stick insects go unnoticed among the vegetation. This technique, combined with the immobility with which they hold on to leaves and branches, makes them invisible to the eyes of predators, thus preventing them from attacking and being eaten.
In this exhibition you can also see images of the daily activities of these living specimens.
BUTTERFLIES OF OUR ENVIRONMENT / BUTTERFLIES AROUND US
An exhibition with real specimens and photographs of the butterflies that inhabit our countryside, many of them endemic and worldwide unique. A tour through the different Autonomous Communities highlighting those species of exceptional ecological value still living in each of the beautiful and complex ecosystems that are part of our geography.
*This exhibition was created in collaboration with the Environment Departments of several Autonomous Communities and the Autonomous University of Madrid.
INSECT CURIOSITIES
In the world of insects we can find similarities with all the everyday subjects we can think of: the world of art, costumes, jewellery and a long etcetera.
As incredible as it seems, in this exhibition you will find a jewellery display made of insects, fierce medieval warriors with breastplates and shields, surrealist fantasy designs, butterflies that look like metal and an endless number of curiosities that the world of insects has to offer.
INMENSE BIODIVERSITY
An almost unknown world, mainly due to the small size of its members. It is the world of invertebrates and, outstanding among them, that of insects, with no less than 77% of the total biodiversity existing on the planet.
This educational and informative exhibition shows the spectacular nature of these creatures seen through a magnifying glass or microscope. The impressive appearances of some species suggest terrifying aspects, as in the case of wasps, tiger beetles and mantises, while others appear as delightful works of art with designs and textures that cannot be seen with the human eye.
THE TRAVELLER BUTTERFLY
This exhibition is dedicated to one of nature’s greatest shows: the epic annual migration of the monarch butterfly (Danaus Plexippus). This butterfly flies from Canada and the northern United States to the central forests of Mexico over a distance of more than 4,000 kilometers.
SPOOKY CRITTERS
Among the animals that most arouse opposing feelings of admiration, astonishment, disgust and fear are the arachnids. A group of arthropods related to insects that create fables and unleash fears, most of the time unfounded.
In this exhibition we show live specimens of these striking animals, explaining their behavior, how they hunt, how they reproduce and what they make their different types of webs for. Other types of live arthropods, such as giant millipedes, black scorpions, ketonid beetles, rhinoceros beetles and giant snails, are also displayed in appropriate terrariums to be seen alive and kicking.
C.I.T.E.S PROTECTED SPECIES
This exhibition aims to raise awareness of the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, better known as the CITES Convention. It is a global agreement for the protection of endangered species of wild animals and plants and the regulation of international trade in them, including their remains or their products.
The main objective of the CITES Convention is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants is sustainable and does not threaten their survival.
Do not hesitate to buy your ticket for InsectPark. Find out about the rates for adults, children and groups.
General ticket: 8€
(adults)
Reduced ticket: 6€
(children between 4 and 10 years old and retired)
General Guided tour: 11€
(adults)
Reduced Guided tour: 9€
(children between 4 and 10 years old and retired)
Groups: Reduced fee
(reduced fee applies for groups of at least 10 people)