insectary

American  

[in-sek-ter-ee] / ˈɪn sɛkˌtɛr i /

noun

plural

insectaries

1. a laboratory for the study of live insects, their life histories, effects on plants, reaction to insecticides, etc.

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Etymology

Origin of insectary

1885–90; variant of insectarium; see -ary

Example Sentences

On the recent visit to the insectary, several hundred mosquitoes flew around in white mesh cages, serving as participants in a study to see which blood they prefer — pig or cow.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

On a recent tour of the Pacoima insectary, Nicolas Tremblay, a senior vector ecologist with the district, whipped out a small container filled with a handful of what looked like vitamins.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

The lab has its own insectary, Corley remarked, which hatches mosquitoes to study the transmission of arboviruses, including Zika, dengue and West Nile.

From New York Times • Nov. 23, 2021

"In this insectary we keep about 23 different strains of mosquitoes for all researchers within our campus and we have Aedis Egypti from 12 different countries," he said.

From BBC • Jan. 27, 2016

A great many species have the most curious life histories, which can not be ascertained except by continued and persevering observation, not only in the vivarium or insectary but in the field.

From Directions for Collecting and Preserving Insects by Riley, C. V.