A few years ago I worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in El Salvador at a butterfly exhibit. The very first day that I arrived where the butterfly house was located, a dazzling Blue Morph greeted me and flashed its wings as it flew by. I knew then that I wanted to raise this magnificent butterfly for the exhibit.
Unlike most adult butterflies that nectar on flowers, Morphos (Morpho spp.) feed exclusively on rotten and fermented fruit. This made it easy to attract the butterflies. I just set out mangoes and bananas. Before long I was rewarded with their presence.
Morpho females use a variety of host plants and will lay a single egg on the underside of a leaf. Upon hatching, the first instar larva devours its empty shell, which provides an initial source of carbohydrates and proteins before it begins to feed on the host plant.
It takes up to 12 days for the egg to hatch. During this time, the egg may change color many times to help camouflage them from predators.
I found the various stages of the caterpillar to be fascinating. As caterpillars grow, they get to a point where they must shed their skin before they can continue to develop. The larva has five stages called instars. The larva of the Blue Morpho is quite distinct in each stage.
First instar larvaSecond instar larvaThird instar larvaFourth instar larvaFith instar larva. This stage lasts 11-14 days.
The caterpillars have unique ways to defend themselves from predators. Coloration at each stage provides them with camouflage. The older larvae have a gland located on their thorax that emits a strong order when threatened, which some describe as rancid butter. The hairs on their body also can irritate predators once touched.
When they are not feeding, the larvae remain motionless.
The entire caterpillar stage lasts roughly eight weeks before forming the chrysalis. Immediately before pupation, the caterpillar enters a pre-pupal stage and the entire body color changes to light green lasting approximately three days.
Pre-pupal stage
The larva will attach itself to a twig or large leaf, and will rest for about 36-48 hours while the chrysalis develops beneath the larval skin. The larval skin splits along sutures on its back to reveal the chrysalis. The pupal stage lasts approximately two weeks before the butterfly is ready to emerge, but in the wild can last to several months in order to time their emergence with the arrival of seasonal rains.
The green color of the Morpho chrysalis blends in with the natural foliage and helps it stay hidden from predators.
Once hatched, an adult Morpho lives for about two to three weeks. The entire life cycle of the Morpho butterfly from egg to death is approximately 115 days, or just under four months.
I feel very fortunate that I had the opportunity to raise these iridescent blue morpho butterflies!
Morpho T-Shirt in Baby Blue. Click Here or on the photo to see more and to make it yours.
Recently, I introduced my granddaughter to butterflies at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s butterfly exhibit in Washington, D.C.
This Blue Morpho (Morpho peleides), landed right in front of us, giving me the opportunity to show my granddaughter this amazing butterfly.
This indoor, tropical oasis offers visitors a rare opportunity to get close to a variety of live butterflies from all over the world. It’s a small exhibit and they limit the number of visitors inside at any one time, providing an up-close and personal experience with the butterflies.
The Dark Blue Tiger (Tirumala septentrionis) is a danaid butterfly found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.The Rusty-tipped butterfly (Siporeta epaphus) is found from southern North America to central South America.The Paper Kite or Rice Oaper (Idea leuconoe) has a wingspan of 12 to 14 cm (4.75 to 5.5 inches). It’s a native to Southeast Asia.The Clipper (Parthenos sylvia) is found in south and southeast Asia.
It’s quite hot and humid inside so be prepared to break out into a sweat. Since many butterflies are attracted to salt, particularly males, one may just land on you to sip the salts from your perspiration.
This Paper Kite landed right on my son’s finger.
Lighting in the museum is not optimal for great photographs, but it easy to get up close with the butterflies to take photos.
The Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas) is one of the largest species in the world.The Forest Giant Owl (Caligo eurilochus) is an owl butterfly ranging from Mexico, through Central America, to the Amazon River basin in South America.The exhibit has a rather large selection of butterflies. They receive pupa from all over the world and display them so visitors can observe the butterflies as they eclose (emerge) from their chrysalises.Workers are on hand to answer questions and to make sure no butterflies escape when you leave.
While at the museum, visit the Smithsonian Pollinator Garden to see some of the plants that local native butterflies prefer for nectar (adults) or leaves (caterpillars). If it is the right time of year, you may see butterflies in action. This special garden is located just east of the museum, shown on the map as the green area along 9th street.
The Smithsonian’s Pollinator Garden showcases plants, grasses and trees that provide nourishment and shelter to pollinating insects. Visitors will enjoy a variety of plant species that attract butterflies and other pollinators. Click Here or on the photo for more information.
You can get more information and even schedule your visit and pay for tickets by Clicking Here.
I’m seeing numerous Monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterflies here in central Florida, and not just in my garden.
Downtown Orlando has six huge Monarchs flying right across from City Hall and the Dr. Phillips Center on a mural called “Midnight Dream” painted by Ink Dwell. This 3,500 square foot mural on the corner of Orange and Anderson, depicts Monarchs flitting about a patch of Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), a tribute to the magical qualities of this famous insect.
Delightful view of Monarch butterflies in downtown Orlando, Florida, USA.Vibrant Monarch butterfly mural at Full Sail University, Orlando, Florida, USA.
Three large Monarch butterflies also flutter at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida, located along University Avenue in Winter Park, Florida. This mural, titled “Milkweed Galaxy”, features Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnta). Tropical or Scarlet Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) plants are growing in front of the mural, attracting live Monarch butterflies.
Tropical Milkweed grows in several flower beds in front of the mural at Full Sail.
The murals are part of the Nature Conservancy’s new Monarch Initiative in Central Florida to restore the habitats of the Monarch butterfly. The Monarch Initiative seeks to educate the central Florida community on the importance of pollinators, such as the Monarch butterfly, through outreach and collaboration.
Can you see the Monarch? He was flying all around the milkweed in front of the mural.Long view of the Monarch mural at Full Sail University.
Monarch butterflies have suffered a severe decline in population – decreasing from one billion in 1996 to 140 million in 2016. According to a U.S. Geological Survey study, as many as 1.8 billion additional Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) plants may be needed in North America to return imperiled Monarch butterflies to sustainable population size. Adding Milkweeds and other native flowering plants into our gardens can help restore Monarch butterflies. Click Here to see my top favorite native Milkweeds.
An eight-story air-traffic control tower in Springdale, Arkansas, USA, provides the basis of this vertical butterfly mural by Ink Dwell.
Founded in 2012 by artist Jane Kim and journalist Thayer Walker, Ink Dwell Studio makes art that inspires people to love and protect the natural world. In addition to the two Monarch murals in Florida, they have also created a mural in Springdale, Arkansas, mounted on an eight-story air traffic control tower at the Springdale Airport.
“Monarch in Moda” in Ogden, Utah.Spread the message and wear this “Plant Milkweed” t-shirt created by Butterfly Lady. https://amzn.to/2PFvZn4
Monarchs (Danaus plexippus) lay their eggs exclusively on Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.). Milkweed is named for its milky sap, which consists of latex-containing alkaloids and several other complex compounds, including cardenolides, which are toxic and help protect the caterpillar and butterfly from predators.
Common milkweed provides a fragrant nectaring station for all butterflies, as well as large leaves for Monarch and Queen (Danaus gilippus) butterfly caterpillars. Click here to purchase seeds.
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), is a critical plant for Monarchs but has a spreading root system so it needs plenty of space. It’s a wonderful choice for natural areas and an excellent replacement for tough invasive plants in sunny spots. The blooms are quite fragrant and attract many other species of butterflies and pollinators.
Common Milkweed the fragrant flowers, not only will it attract egg-laying Monarchs but also many other types of butterflies.Common milkweed can be a great addition to a butterfly garden if you have room for it to spread.
Thrives on almost any well-drained soil, even tough clay or dry sand
Spreads rapidly by rhizomes, so it is best planted in a large area
Drought tolerant
Swamp milkweed is very attractive to many species of butterflies as a nectar source. So not only will it attract Monarchs for egg laying, but it’s also a butterfly magnet. Click here to purchase seeds.
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is native to wet sites but adapts to drier sites in moist clay or loam soils. Swamp milkweed is well behaved in the garden and grow in clumps rather than invasively spreading around with underground rhizomes. It will also attract beautiful butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden or meadow.
Liz DeOrsey is standing in front of her Swamp Milkweed growing in her garden in North Carolina.
Swamp Milkweed will grow well in containers and can easily be grown from cuttings. It is highly preferred by the Monarch butterflies and females will readily lay their eggs on this plant.
Butterfly milkweed is an important nectar and larval host food source for Monarchs as well as other pollinators. Many different pollinators visit the vibrant orange or yellow flower clusters for nectar rewards. Click here to purchase seeds.
Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)is also called Pleurisy Root, Canada Root, Orange Milkweed, and Indian Paintbrush. It takes about two years before it flowers, but it is well worth the wait for the spectacular orange blooms. Unlike other milkweed species, the leaves don’t contain a milky sap.
Butterfly Milkweed grows easily from seed, but expect that it will take two to three years to establish and produce flowers. It can become a very showy specimen, with multiple flowering stems spreading across a two foot high plant.
The plant is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. It is drought tolerant, moderately salt tolerant, and does well in poor, dry soils.
Dry, sandy, well-drained, and slightly acidic soil.
Drought Tolerant
Showy Milkweed has soft, pastel pink flower clusters with longer petals. This sun-loving asclepias grows well in dry, fast-draining soil and requires little supplemental water once established. Click here to purchase seeds.The very fragrant blooms attract many different pollinators including hummingbirds.
Showy Milkweed, Asclepias speciosa, has flowers that resemble a cluster of brilliant pink stars. Although it spreads through underground rhizomes, it is far less aggressive than common milkweed, and is an excellent alternative.
The much sought-after and rare Purple Milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens), looks similar to Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), but the flower color is a rich red-purple color compared to the soft gray-pink of Common Milkweed. Click here to purchase seeds.
Purple Milkweed (Asclepias Purpurascens) is unique in that it posses the most beautiful purple flowers of all of the milkweeds. This plant likes full sun to partial shade (prefers morning sun and afternoon shade.) The fragrant flowers attract many species of butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and other pollinators.
Grow Asclepias purpurascens in a site that is well drained but has ample moisture. It seems to prefer a bit of shade but will do well in full sun if it gets deep, regular watering.
Purple milkweed tends to spread less aggressively than Common Milkweed. Purple Milkweed are rare plants and can be difficult to establish in gardens. It may take several years for Purple Milkweeds to flower when introduced into a garden, but is definitely worth the wait!
The absolute best way to help Monarch butterflies is to plant milkweed! Without a major effort to restore milkweed, the monarch population is certain to decline. Monarchs depend on milkweed for survival.
Spread the message with this “Plant Milkweed T-shirt by Butterfly Lady: https://amzn.to/2PFvZn4
Are you tired of winter? Do you dream of warmer days and butterflies? There are places where you can see butterflies this winter without traveling south of the border.
Tropical butterfly exhibits are great places to see many different species of butterflies up close. Take a camera and you are bound to get some great photos.
A young girl discovers a monarch butterfly.
Here are butterfly exhibits that open year-round in the United States and Canada. So get rid of those winter blues and go find some butterflies!
ARIZONA Butterfly Wonderland
9500 E. Via de Ventura
Scottsdale, Arizona 85256
Phone: (480) 800-3000
California Academy of Sciences
Osher Rainforest
Golden Gate Park
55 Music Concourse Drive San Francisco, CA94118 (415) 379-8000
More than 1,600 live animals reside in the Osher Rainforest dome, including 250 free-flying birds and butterflies and close to 100 exotic reptiles and amphibians.
COLORADO Butterfly Pavilion 6252 West 104th Ave.
Westminster, CO 80020
Phone: (303) 469-5441
Sometimes the butterflies will actually come and land on you like this beautiful Paper Rice butterfly at the Butterfly Pavilion in Denver, Colorado.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Butterfly Pavilion
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
10th Street and Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20560
Phone: (202) 633-1000
FLORIDA Butterfly World
3600 W. Sample Road
Coconut Creek, Florida 33073
Phone: (954) 977-4400
Butterfly Rainforest
Florida Museum of Natural History
University of Florida
SW 34th Street and Hull Road
Gainesville, FL 32611
Phone: (352) 846-2000
I caught this colorful Red Lacewing (Cethosia biblis) feeding on Mexican Sunflowers (Tithonia spp.) at the Butterfly Rainforest in Gainesville, Florida.
You can see beautiful tropical butterflies in the middle of winter such as this Clipper butterfly (Parthenos sylvia). I saw this beauty at the Butterfly Pavilion in Denver, Colorado.
MICHIGAN Detroit Zoo
Woodward Avenue and 10 Mile Road (I-696)
Royal Oak, MI 48067
Phone: (248) 541-5717
MISSOURI Sophie B. Sachs Butterfly House
Missouri Botanical Garden
Faust Park
15193 Olive Blvd.
Chesterfield, MO 63017
Phone: (636) 530-0076
Father and daughter are mesmerized by the Tree Nymph (Idea leuconoe) at the Butterfly Pavilion at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
Saint Louis Zoo Insectarium
One Government Drive
St. Louis, MO
Phone: (314) 781-0900 Admission to Insectarium is free all day, every day.
