Exhibit opens at White River Gardens
PHOTO BY CORY WILSON With a wingspan up to 8 inches, the blue morpho is one of the world’s largest butterflies.
SUBMITTED PHOTO The zebra longwing can be found in the southern United States from Texas to Florida and in Central America and northern South America. Vivid swirls of living color and the delicate whispers of wings fill the air as Butterfly Kaleidoscope has returned to the Indianapolis Zoo.
Following a yearlong hiatus, guests can once again experience the beautiful exhibit through Sept. 10. Set inside the Hilbert Conservatory at White River Gardens, the showcase features thousands of free-flying butterflies in a tropical paradise.
The exhibit highlights 40 species from four continents. Among the radiant varieties are Indiana natives, including the American painted lady, as well as stunning exotic insects, from the small-yet-striking Costa Rica tiger to the blue morpho, one of the world’s largest butterflies with a wingspan up to 8 inches.
With 30 brand-new species, Butterfly Kaleidoscope is featuring moths for the first time. Among them are the Madagascan sunset moth, a multicolored, iridescent insect often thought of as the most beautiful of its kind.
Visitors can witness the creatures’ incredible metamorphosis unfolding inside the emergence chamber. Timed daily releases offer a perfect opportunity for guests to have a close encounter, and a newly emerged butterfly may even pause momentarily on a guest’s hand before taking its inaugural flight.
Admission to the gardens is free for zoo members. Guests can purchase tickets at www.IndianapolisZoo.com.
Following a yearlong hiatus, guests can once again experience the beautiful exhibit through Sept. 10. Set inside the Hilbert Conservatory at White River Gardens, the showcase features thousands of free-flying butterflies in a tropical paradise.
The exhibit highlights 40 species from four continents. Among the radiant varieties are Indiana natives, including the American painted lady, as well as stunning exotic insects, from the small-yet-striking Costa Rica tiger to the blue morpho, one of the world’s largest butterflies with a wingspan up to 8 inches.
With 30 brand-new species, Butterfly Kaleidoscope is featuring moths for the first time. Among them are the Madagascan sunset moth, a multicolored, iridescent insect often thought of as the most beautiful of its kind.
Visitors can witness the creatures’ incredible metamorphosis unfolding inside the emergence chamber. Timed daily releases offer a perfect opportunity for guests to have a close encounter, and a newly emerged butterfly may even pause momentarily on a guest’s hand before taking its inaugural flight.
Admission to the gardens is free for zoo members. Guests can purchase tickets at www.IndianapolisZoo.com.
This unnamed butterfly was photographed by Mindy Riley