It feels as though every inch of this museum is covered with display cases full of intriguing insects. All the displays are from Jesús Puente’s personal entomological collection.
Wander around, and you’ll find some extraordinary specimens ranging from the beautiful butterflies of Madagascar, to the stick and leaf insects of Asia. Less flashy bugs are shown, too. Even common invertebrates such as flies have their own special display.
Here you can glimpse at insects that may make your skin crawl, such as giant beetles, cockroaches, and wasps. There’s an area full of arachnids such as spiders, tarantulas, and scorpions, which is made more unnerving by the knowledge that their living relatives are native to the area.
You’ll also find several live insects within the museum. This collection of creepy-crawlies varies, so you can expect to find anything from millipedes to black widows, depending on when you visit. Seeing these bugs hunting or camouflaging themselves within their showcases is an amazing experience. And, you can’t pass up the chance to feel a tarantula’s hairy legs brush against your flesh, or a Madagascar hissing cockroach’s wriggling limbs in your hand.
The museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 12:00 to 6:00 and Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 to 7:00 p.m. Admission is 50 pesos. Sometimes the museum holds traveling exhibitions in schools
Admission usually includes a small guided tour that, with a little luck, may be provided by Puente's daughter.
Mario Yair TS
Monsieur Mictlan
