Magic Wings is one of only ten “total immersion” butterfly houses inthe country. Among our most popular attractions, Magic Wings is athrill for visitors of all ages. A 17,000 square-foot building with adramatic 30-foot-high conservatory, Magic Wings is among the largestbutterfly houses in the world.

Butterflies

With this extraordinary facility, the Museum makes it possible tocome into intimate contact with exotic butterflies in the indoortropical environment. You’ll experience not only the physical beauty ofnature, but the stunning interactions of plant and animal species in acomplex, yet balanced natural setting. We maintain a tropical climateof 80 degrees year-round which feels great during winter months andrefreshingly cool when outside temperatures are climbing.

Hundreds of tropical butterflies flutter around you as they coursethrough trees and hover over nectar-producing flowers. Watchbutterflies drink from a flowing stream or perched on a butterflyfeeder. If you wear a bright shirt, butterflies are likely to land onyou!

Lush vegetation creates a beautiful habitat for exotic species suchas the slow-flying blue morpho butterfly or 6” wide giant owl-eye.Native species such as swallowtails, monarchs, and blue-spotted purplesfrom the five Lepidoptera families have their own appropriatehabitat in a seasonal, energy-efficient shade cloth structure.

Chrysalis Exhibit

Experience the close-up wonder of butterflies emerging from thechrysalis, and learn about the complete metamorphosis of the relativelyshort Lepidoptera life cycle from caterpillar to pupa to wings at theChrysalis Exhibit.

Tropical Plants and Flowers

To provide a natural habitat for the tropical butterflies, MagicWings contains over 250 species of plants. Flowering plants that areknown to be favorite nectar and pollen sources for butterflies, such asPentas and firebush, grow throughout the conservatory. A variety ofbeautiful flowering nectar plants are visible in the “meadow” next tothe pond.

The east wall of the conservatory is known as the “Rainforest Wall” andhouses trees, understory plants, and vines native to tropicalrainforest habitats.

Half of the west wall nearest to the entrance has a “Fruit and Spice”theme, and includes familiar tropical fruits and spices like guava,mango, papaya, black pepper, coffee, and cacao (the source ofchocolate), as well as exotic fruit trees such as the Jaboticaba andthe Miracle Fruit that are usually only encountered in the tropics.

Water-loving tropical plants, including wild gingers and aroids, form astream-side garden. The southwest corner of the conservatory, whichgets the strongest sunlight, contains plants that are adapted to drierconditions, such as the shaving brush tree and the desert rose.