The Krohn Butterfly show inspired by weightless experiences

The Krohn Conservatory’s annual butterfly exhibition is inspired by space this year. Director Mark House explains that the butterflies and caterpillars were put into orbit in 2009 to see how they would adapt to the weightless environment. House says the students returning to Earth were able to follow the life cycles of what were soon called “butterflies and aspillaria.”

“In the show, we actually have monarchs and painted butterflies, both species that have been taken to the International Space Station,” he says. “We included some elements of the ISS, such as hydroponics and pocket gardening. And we even have our own version of asteroids.

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These are cocoons displayed in a separate baby’s room.

House says monarchs and painted ladies are two of the 85 species that fly around the greenhouse.

“From all over the world. All the colors of the rainbow. Blue morphos, which are large blue butterflies from Central America, are among the most popular,” he says. “Owl butterflies, the Caligos seem to have a big eye on them which scares away predators.

You can see the cocoons on display, as well as the butterflies, until August. The show opens Saturday at the Krohn Conservatory. House recommends making a reservation.