Butterfly Magic

On October 12, one of Tucson’s favorite annual events re-opens to the public – Butterfly Magic at the Gardens. The greenhouse at the Tucson Botanical Gardens’ will once again transform into a magical place filled with hundreds of spectacular butterflies from all over the world. Marvel at the brilliant colors, varied shapes, sizes and species of butterflies. Don’t miss this year’s gorgeous selection of butterflies from Asia, Australia, Africa and the Tropical Americas.

About the butterflies

All of the butterflies in the Gardens’ exhibit are hatched from eggs and live as caterpillars in butterfly farms in tropical parts of the world. When the caterpillars change into the pupae or resting stage, they are carefully counted, labeled, and packed. In the pupae stage of the butterfly life cycle, no food is required so they can survive the two or three day trip to Tucson. Once they arrive at the Gardens they are housed in a climate controlled environment which allows them to emerge naturally from their pupae. They are then transferred to the Greenhouse where they are released to fly free in a beautiful tropical environment. Visitors have the opportunity to “get eye to eye” with these remarkable, stunning creatures.

Butterfly schedule
Visit us each month to see featured species from these areas:
October-November Arizonan and U.S. tropical butterflies
December Australia
January Africa
February Asia
March-April Around the world

OTHER BUTTERFLY EVENTS

Behind the Scenes of Butterfly Magic Tour - Get up close as our curators teach you how to participate in the release of butterflies into the Butterfly Magic exhibit. Staff will explain and answer your questions as you witness the amazing life cycle and interesting habits of our butterflies. This half-hour is the most in-depth, hands-on experience you can have with the curators, the emergence room and the flight exhibit. Learn about sources of our butterflies, how they are fed and cared for, and the impact that our exhibit has on the tropical rainforests where our butterflies start their lives.
Hours: Saturdays (starting Oct. 17) from 9:30 -10 a.m.
Admission (includes admission to the Butterfly Magic exhibit and the Gardens): $20 for adults, $10 for children 4-12. Children under 3 are free. Limit 5 per tour.

Bugging Out! - Tucson Botanical Gardens and Sonoran Arthropod Studies Institute partner to display live creepy, exciting bugs from the Sonoran Desert and the tropical rainforests of the world. The live arthropods will include living ant colonies, tarantulas, vinegaroons, scorpions and centipedes.
Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 25, Nov. 29, Jan. 17, Jan. 24, Feb. 28, Mar. 28, & Apr. 25
Admission: Included with Garden admission or admission to the Butterfly Magic exhibit

After Hours Butterfly Photo Sessions - Take photos of gorgeous butterflies without the crowds! Monopods, tripods and lights are allowed. $25 per photographer. Sign up at the Gardens Gift Shop or by calling (520)326-9686, Ext.10. Limit 5 photographers per session.
Hours: Sundays (starting Oct.18, 2009 through April 25, 2010), 3 - 4:30 p.m.
Admission: $25 per photographer

Adopt a Butterfly - Adopt a butterfly and keep the butterflies fluttering in our Butterfly Magic exhibit, just $5 per pupae. Help take part in butterfly conservation, show that your company or family supports Butterfly Magic or give a butterfly as a gift. Butterflies can be adopted at www.tucsonbotanical.org or by calling (520) 326-9686, Ext. 10.