Butterflies
Fantastic Butterfly House specimens
Here are some of the species usually found in the Butterfly House. Depending on the time of year and the butterfly-farm stock, they can be seen flying about or resting delicately on the foliage of the tropical plants, fruit, and flowers where the butterflies feed
Papilio thoas
Belonging to the Papilionidae family, this species has particularly elongated, brownish-black wings with yellow spots. It is found all year round in the Tropics, from April to July in North America, and the spring and summer months in South America. It prefers the nectar of plants like the Bougainvillea. It has a wingspan of about 100-130 mm.
Papilio palinurus
Species of the Papilionidae family, its name derives from Palinuro, the helmsman for Aeneas, the hero of Virgil’s poem. The dorsal part of the wings is covered with a powder of green scales. The bottom of the wing is black, with large spots in a bright metallic emerald green. Its tails are quite long. Its wingspan reaches about 8-10 cm.
Papilio-memnon
Belonging to the Papilionidae family, it has thirteen subspecies and is widely distributed throughout southern Asia. The male specimen is much more common than the female, with the butlerianus and alcanor subspecies of the latter being particularly rare. It generally flies above 2 -4 m above the ground.
Pachiliopta aristolochiae
This species belongs to the Pipilionidae family and is distributed among India, Ceylon, China, Malaysia, and the Sonda Islands. It prefers tropical lowland forests and sunny areas. Its wing designs vary in extension or may even be totally absent. The front wings may have white spots. The head has a red “aposematic” (warning) color, making it toxic and unpleasant to predators. A bright red patch characterizes the lower extremity of the abdomen.
Hypolimnas bolina
Also called Blue Moon Butterfly in New Zealand, it belongs to the Nymphalidae family and is found mainly in Madagascar and southeast Asia, plus islands in the Pacific. The male specimen has black wings with three pairs of white dots surrounded by an iridescent purple. The female has brownish-black wings with no spots except small white dots on the lower edge. This relatively common butterfly prefers wooded areas with dense, humid scrub. Its wingspan is approximately 70-85 mm
Morpho peleides
Belonging to the Nymphalidae family, it is very common and widespread in South and Central America and the Antilles. Although associated with rainforests, this species prefers open, sunny spaces. The male specimen’s coloration on the upper part of the wings is bluer than that of the female, while the lower part has ocellated spots edged in black and yellow on a brown background. It is attracted to fermented fruit and has a wingspan ranging from 9.5 to 12 cm.
Idea leuconoe
This species belongs to the Nymphalidae family and is native to the Indo-Australian region. Its slender body and large wings make it a weak yet graceful flyer. Black and white spots are found on both the body and wings. Its wingspan varies from 9.5 to 10.8 cm.
Heliconius melpomene
The Postman Butterflylives mainly in Central America and Brazil. This member of the Nymphalidae family prefers tropical areas or plains with little vegetation. Its wing design is highly variable. However, its particularly elongated wings show some distinct orange areas. It flies close to the ground and sleeps in groups at night.
Heliconius charitonius
Also called the Zebra Long Wing, it belongs to the Nymphalidae family. It is widespread in South and Central America plus the southern United States. This large tropical butterfly with yellow-banded wings on a black background feeds on pollen and nectars from flowers and flies in swarms. It prefers river banks and forests. The wingspan reaches 10 cm.
Graphium Agamemnon
Belonging to the Papilionidae family, it is native to Indonesia. It is also called the Green Triangle due to the shape and color of its wings. The life cycle from egg to adult lasts just over a month. It typically flies among the treetops, dropping to ground level only when searching for flowers and plants.
Danaus Plexippus
Known as the Monarch butterfly, it belongs to the Nymphalidae family. Found throughout North America, many U.S. states have adopted it as their “state insect” The wings are orange with black veins and white spots along the edge. The caterpillar has black, yellow, and white stripes. Its wingspan ranges from 7.5 to 10 cm.
Caligo Memnon
Also known as the Pale Owl butterfly, it is part of the Nymphalidae family. It lives in Mexico’s secondary forests as well as the Mexican and Amazon rainforests. It can have a wingspan of up to 150 mm. The ocellar spot on the wings seems to be the butterfly’s defensive mechanism, as it resembles an owl’s head, especially when upside down.
Attacus Atlas
This moth belongs to the Saturniidae family and is widespread in the tropical forests of Asia. It is one of the largest species in the world. It is also called the Cobra Butterfly, as the colors of its wing’s design recall the snake.