The Butterfly Conservatory: Can You Spot It?

by AMNH on

On Exhibit posts

In The Butterfly Conservatory, you can see dozens of butterfly species from around the world housed in a tropical vivarium.

Don’t know your Paper Kite from your Zebra Longwing? Here are snaps of just a few of the butterfly species you can try to spot on your next visit.

Paper Kite Butterfly

Paper kite butterfly
Paper kite butterflies (Idea leucunoe) like this one can be seen at The Butterfly Conservatory.
Courtesy of ABrewster

Monarch Butterfly

Monarch butterfly shows off its patterned wings as it rests on a blooming goldenrod plant.
Orange and black Monarchs (Danaus plexippus) are among the most familiar and easily recognizable butterflies found in the vivarium.
Courtesy of bbarlow/Pixabay

Zebra Longwing Butterfly

Zebra longwing butterfly displays its striped wings as it sits on a flower.
The black and white markings of the Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charithonia) warn predators that this toxic butterfly isn't a good meal. 
Courtesy of W. Warby/Wikimedia Commons

Owl Butterfly

Owl butterfly
The owl butterfly is one of the largest species in The Butterfly Conservatory.
Courtesy of S. Seeger

Scarlet Swallowtail Butterfly

Scarlet swallowtail butterfly perches delicately on a small flower.
The striking Scarlet Swallowtail (Papilio rumanzovia) is one of the most distinctively colored species visitors can encounter. 
Courtesy of GLady/Pixabay

While we hope this mini field guide comes in handy, it’s just a start. After all, The Butterfly Conservatory is a great place to discover the unexpected, whether it’s flitting through your field of vision or landing right on your hand.