A Glimpse of 600 of Unique Insects at ‘Museum Serangga dan Taman Kupu’

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The ‘Museum Serangga dan Taman Kupu’ or Insect Museum and Butterfly Garden at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) was inaugurated by President Soeharto on April 20, 1993. This educational facility was built to introduce the incredible diversity of the insect world to the public.

The TMII website states that Indonesia is home to roughly 16 percent of the world’s total insect species. This rich biodiversity is due to Indonesia's fertile tropical climate, which allows a vast array of wildlife to thrive and adapt.

This educational tourism destination houses around 600 unique insect species. The massive collection features 250 species of butterflies, 200 species of beetles, and 150 other diverse insect species.

The museum’s collection is heavily dominated by butterflies, which are organized and displayed across several distinct categories. Visitors can view them based on their region of origin, taxonomy, legal protection status, or through immersive diorama displays.

Through data from the Indonesian Museum, one of the main attractions is the birdwing butterfly from Papua, which holds the title of the second-largest butterfly species in the world.

Another major highlight is the collection of guitar beetles, named for their uncanny resemblance to the musical instrument. These unique beetles are nocturnal, meaning they forage and remain active exclusively at night.

In addition to the indoor museum exhibits, visitors can stroll through the beautiful Butterfly Garden. This outdoor sanctuary features a variety of vibrant flowering plants that serve as natural food sources for the living insects.