Discover the secret lives of a captive (and captivating!) group of insects while exploring the Delaware Nature Society's Butterfly House at Ashland Nature Center.
Peek under a milkweed leaf to observe pin-sized monarch eggs.
Find a swallowtail chrysalis hanging from a spicebush twig.
Witness hungry caterpillars munching on their favorite food.
This 18 ft. x 30 ft. mesh greenhouse is home to about 15 species of butterflies and moths including great spangled fritillaries, monarchs, swallowtails, painted ladies and cecropias. Unlike other exhibits, it is a complete ecosystem, containing water, shelter, food and host plants for each species. Programs focus on the mysteries of metamorphosis, the food web and the importance of habitats. Guided tours with a Delaware Nature Society teacher-naturalist include exploration with nets in nearby meadows and an investigation inside the Butterfly House.
Funding to remodel the Butterfly House was provided by "The Christmas Shop Foundation."
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Opens: June 14, 2010
Sundays/Holidays: Closed