Butterflies Flutter into Phoenix

Have you ever wondered if caterpillars have teeth? How high butterflies can fly?  All your questions can be answered at Breakfast with the Butterflies hosted by the Desert Botanical Garden on March 6 and 7.

A delightful opportunity to introduce the world of rare butterflies to your children, Breakfast with the Butterflies returns for its 9^th year in an exhibit at the Marshall Butterfly Pavilion.  Children ages 3-10 will love the hundreds of butterflies of all different types and colors in this display.

Okay, truth be told I went to a butterfly exhibit in Atlanta with my family many years ago and they never let me forget it.  I actually, ahem, swatted at some of the butterflies.  Apparently, I learned that I don’t like small insects flying around my head.  I overcame my fears while experiencing this exhibit at The Garden last year.  I’m happy to report that I’m fully recovered and even enjoyed trying to find the most unique looking butterflies in the pavillion.

I think you and your children will also love this exhibit.  You’ll learn the four separate stages of a butterfly’s life from the egg, to the caterpillar, then pupa to the adult butterfly.  Expect to see some of North America’s finest butterflies including Giant Swallowtails, Great Southern Whites, Zebra Swallowtails, Queens, Julias, Painted Ladies and Malachites among others. 

Queens

The “flight crews,” (don’t you love it!) also known as the Friendly Garden volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and share information about the butterflies and plants. There are special display areas featuring butterfly host plants and a Discovery Station where you have the chance to see these scaly-winged friends up close. 

A catered breakfast will be served followed by entertainment and additional activities for the kids.  Remember to wear brightly colored clothing to better attract the butterflies.  As a remembrance of the day each child will receive their own pair of butterfly wings to wear home.  What a wonderful way to kick off spring in the Valley!

Desert Botanical Garden
1201 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix

Saturday, March 6, or Sunday March 7, 2010
9 – 11 .am. (doors open at 8:30 a.m.)

Garden members: $35.00 for adults and $30.00 for children
General Public: $40.00 for adults and $35.00 for children
Recommended for children ages 3-10 and their parents.

Zebra Swallowtails

To purchase tickets:
Order on-line
Call 480-481-8188 (8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday)
Visit the Garden’s Admissions Box Office (8 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily)

Photos courtesy of The Children’s Butterfly site and the Desert Botanical Garden