from a flower. It then raises its delicate wings, takes flight and lands--on your nose. This happens every day at year-round butterfly centers across the country. Even when it's winter outside, it's spring inside these conservatories where thousands of butterflies fly freely in climate-controlled environments.
The best time to visit these conservatories is during the morning when the butterflies are most active and when new butterflies emerge from their chrysalises. To observe and learn more about these delicate creatures, visit The Tropical Butterfly House in Seattle, Washington.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
When it's cold and rainy outside, it's a balmy 80 degrees inside the Tropical
Butterfly House at the Pacific Science Center, where 1,000 butterflies bask in the 80-percent humidity. The exotic variety includes Paper Kites from the Philippines and Peacock Pansies from Malaysia. There are also moths, like Atlases from Southeast Asia with wingspans measuring several inches. View 500 chrysalises in the emerging room. Almost as colorful as the butterflies themselves, some chrysalises look like dead leaves, while others resemble glittering metal.
Located under the arches near the Space Needle at 200 Second Avenue North. Admission (including all exhibits at the Pacific Science Center): $10 for adults; $7 for kids ages three to 13; $8.50 for seniors 65 and over. Children under age three are free. Open everyday from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. on weekdays and 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. on weekends during the school year and 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. during the summer. For more information, call 206-443-2001.
BUTTERFLY WEB SITES
Find general information about butterflies at the following Web sites--good places to do research before your visit to a butterfly house and to continue your education after you're back at home.THE BUTTERFLY ZONE: To find out what types of butterflies you'll find in your neighborhood, click here. Plus, learn the kinds of flowering plants you can put in your garden to attract butterflies.
BUTTERFLIES OF NORTH AMERICA: The U.S. Geological Survey has a great site, which includes hundreds of butterfly photos, a FAQs page to answer butterfly/moth questions and a Monarch life cycle coloring page.
Troy Corley lives in Los Angeles with her two children, and is writing a book on insect zoos and butterfly houses.
Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Updated August 2005.
