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Exhibit Basics

The Butterflies LIVE! exhibit is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May 22 to October 11, 2009.

The exhibit is the centerpiece of the Garden’s 25th Anniversary Year, and is made possible through generous funding from the Robins Foundation.  Our presenting sponsor is Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance; the media sponsor is Richmond Magazine.

There is no extra charge to visit Butterflies LIVE!; it is included in regular Garden admission.  On Saturday, July 4th, Garden admission is free for everyone, thanks to the support of our sponsors.

Because butterflies are diurnal—they are more active during the day—the exhibit is closed in the evening.  The best conditions for seeing the butterflies in flight are bright, sunny days.

To maintain easy access and circulation in the Butterflies LIVE! exhibit, strollers are not permitted in the Conservatory’s North Wing.  While visiting Butterflies LIVE!, guests should leave strollers outside in the stroller parking area on the Conservatory plaza.

Wheelchairs can be accommodated in the North Wing, though the turning radius through the entry vestibule is narrow and requires careful handling.

Upon entry into the Conservatory, guests will be routed to the right, through one entrance and a separate exit, on a counter clockwise path around the Palm House central display bed.

Oversized backpacks and large, open totes and shoulder bags can be harmful to butterflies in flight.  “Hitchhikers” can be attracted to the fragrant contents of bags, and perch themselves on visitors’ bags.  We encourage all visitors to leave large gear outside the North Wing.

Only butterflies are permitted to eat and drink in the Conservatory!

Access to the emergence room is restricted to authorized staff only.

Inside Butterflies LIVE!

The exhibit highlights tropical species of butterflies from Costa Rica and Southeast Asia, as well as the familiar Monarch butterfly, which migrates annually from North America to Mexico and Central America.

In all, 24 species will be featured over the course of the exhibit.  The specific butterflies on display may change weekly, and our staff can help with their identification.  We cannot anticipate the casualty rate during shipping; staff will have a current list each day.

There is no formal tour or program during the exhibit.  However, our staff will be providing informal interpretation, demonstrations, and helpful butterfly information throughout the day, based on guests’ interests.

The North Wing space can accommodate up to 100 visitors at a time; 50-75 will be a comfortable range of guests.  As we observe guest numbers over the opening week, we will find a limit that is comfortable for butterflies and humans!

The schedule for groups of children visiting the exhibit will be available each morning.  Groups will be limited to no more than 25 children each half hour.  If the exhibit appears to be crowded due to group visitors, please suggest to our general public visitors that they enjoy the rest of the Conservatory and return in a short while.

The only butterfly shown in all stages of its life cycle is the Monarch.  Because the other butterfly species are all non-native, they are potentially harmful to our local environment.  Per federal regulations, they cannot be allowed to reproduce in the North Wing.

The tropical species are imported as pupae and allowed to emerge and fly.  Due to the lack of host plant material, they are not likely to mate or lay eggs, and they will live naturally only a short time (often no more than 2-3 weeks). 

Protecting the Butterflies

Due to federal U.S.D.A. regulations, the butterflies must be contained within the North Wing.  It is vital that guests thoroughly check themselves for “hitchhikers” as they leave the North Wing.  The volunteer monitoring the doors should instruct guests to look themselves over in the mirror, open and look in their own bags and purses, and flip up ponytails.

Emergency exit doors should remain closed (unless needed), and only authorized staff are allowed in the emergence room.

Butterflies should not be touched by human hands.  They are fragile, easy to kill, and a misguided thumb and forefinger can ruin a beautiful set of wings.  Remember these statements:

• Thank you for not touching the butterflies. 
• They are fragile and easily harmed.
• If a butterfly lands on you, ASK A STAFF MEMBER TO REMOVE IT.
• Look down and WATCH YOUR STEP!
• Thank you for enjoying the butterflies ONLY WITH YOUR EYES.

Butterflies will land on guests. Staff and volunteers should assist guests by gently removing the butterflies using a paintbrush.

Watch your step!  Butterflies will land on the floor, to drink from puddles or bask in the sun.  Caution guests to watch their step and look down as well as up.

If young children naturally become upset by butterflies flying freely around them, there are ways to calm them down and ease their anxiety.  One way is to suggest a search for a butterfly of a particular, favorite color.  Please make certain that emergency doors remained closed and that an upset child is helped out by his family through the main entry doors.

 

Butterflies LIVE! presenting sponsor:

Butterflies LIVE! media sponsor: