Longwing butterflies (Heliconius sp.) All butterflies hatch from an egg! Butterfly eggs in general are quite small, sometimes even smaller than the head of a pin. They come in a wide variety of colours and shapes, however, and some butterfly eggs look a lot like a colourful tiny diamond or gem. Longwings are a tropical group of butterflies from Central …
Spiny Stick Bug Eggs
Spiny Stick Bug (Extatosoma tiaratum) A type of stick insect found in Australia, the Spiny Stick bug is a very well-camouflaged insect designed to look like a cross between a prickly stick and a dead leaf. Like all stick insects, the females will lay hundreds of eggs one at a time, which they simply let fall to the forest floor. …
Giant African Land Snail Eggs
Giant African Land Snails (Archachatina ventricosa) We don’t often think about where snails come from, and they also hatch from eggs! Depending on the species and type of snail (land vs aquatic), eggs may be laid singly or in groups. The Giant African Land Snails that we display in our Conservatory lay single large eggs that are white or pale …
10 Reasons to Get Married at Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
Tropical Paradise: Capture timeless memories amidst our tropical gardens, where every corner offers a picturesque backdrop for your wedding, rain or shine. Get lush gardens inside your venue without spending thousands on florals. Immerse yourself in a lush oasis surrounded by thousands of free-flying butterflies, creating a magical ambiance unlike any other venue in Southwestern Ontario. Where else can you ...
A Conservatory Love Story
With Valentine’s Day approaching we’re feeling extra mushy and couldn’t help but share this cute story. For Emily, it was just another Friday afternoon and just a normal visit to the Butterfly Conservatory. She and Dylan arrived with their sweet little girl just before closing and with the exception of one other person, they were all alone in the greenhouse. …
What’s the buzz? How Insects Communicate
Because of their unique anatomies, insects communicate in very different ways than humans. In contrast to humans, insects rarely rely on sight to communicate. Insects are particularly reliant on smell and taste and are attuned to the fine chemical differences in their environment. Also, they often sense sounds and vibrations that we humans cannot. Why do insects need to communicate, ...
4 Reasons to Visit the Conservatory in Wintertime
1. Come warm up here! The weather outside is frightful, and our entire facility is indoors! The Conservatory temperature typically ranges from 24°C (75°F) to 28ºC (82°F) with high humidity. We have the perfect mini tropical getaway - make sure you dress in layers. 2. Meet an Insect Visit our insect galleries to see a variety of amazing insects and ...
Cheecho Turns 11!
If you’ve been to the Conservatory, you’ve likely seen our Green-cheeked Conure, Cheecho. Cheecho has called the Conservatory home for close to a decade and he’s celebrating his 11th birthday this weekend! Green-cheeked Conures are small parrots known for their outgoing personalities. Cheecho is always curious, spunky, (and sometimes mischievous!) and because he loves social interaction, our staff spend time ...
Monarchs and Milkweed
The Ontario Monarchs are off! They've felt the environmental cues - colder weather, shorter days, and fewer milkweed plants - and they've packed their bags and headed south. They have a two-month, 4000+ kilometer journey ahead of them before they arrive in the Sierra Madre Mountain range in Central Mexico where they will spend the winter. After their long hibernation, ...
Monarch Tagging Weekend
Summer is coming to a close, and that means that the Monarch butterflies are beginning their 5000 km journey south to overwinter in Mexico. Most adult Monarch butterflies that you see in the summer only live 2-5 weeks, but the migratory generation (those that emerge from their chrysalides in late August and early September) lives an exceptional 6-8 months. A ...