Guide to Tropical Butterflies & Moths

HAVE A BUTTERFLY QUESTION?

    At least 2000 free-flying tropical butterflies and moths are on exhibit at any given time in the tropical Conservatory. Our butterflies and moths originate in either Costa Rica or the Philippines. Most are sent to us weekly as pupae (also called chrysalides(butterflies) or cocoons(moths)) from butterfly farmers. Butterfly farming is a sustainable form of agriculture and ensures that natural populations of wild butterflies and moths are not depleted. At the Emergence Window, visitors can watch as butterflies emerge from their chrysalides, dry their wings and prepare for their very first flight into our Conservatory. Some butterfly species are reared onsite so that visitors can observe all four of the stages of metamorphosis: egg, caterpillar, pupa, and butterfly. Our population of butterflies and moths consists of approximately 40 different species. See below for more information on the butterflies and moths found at Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory, or visit our Facebook album Butterflies & Moths of the Conservatory!

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