October Owls and Orchids

The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House is staying open late on Tuesdays this October, giving visitors a unique chance to see its conservatory’s crepuscular creatures in action. The Butterfly House’s collection of owl butterflies is expanding from 150 to almost 2,000 – more than ten times the normal number – during October Owls and Orchids. Visit on Tuesdays, Oct. 4, 11, 18 and 25 from 4 to 7 p.m. to watch these twilight fans swoop through the conservatory at top speeds in groups of a dozen or more. Come during regular daytime hours to watch them at roost and enjoy more than 100 colorful, blooming orchids added to the tropical display. October Owls and Orchids runs all month long, Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (closed Mondays). The event is included with Butterfly House admission.

Owl butterflies (Caligo eurilochus, Caligo atreus and Caligo memnon) are easily recognized by their chocolate hued-wings with bright yellow markings that resemble an owl eye. Their name comes from these markings, which are a useful defense mechanism to scare away predators. Owl butterflies feast on a diet of carrion, tree sap or juice from decaying fruit in the wilds of their native Costa Rica and Surinam. At the Butterfly House, strategically-placed tree trunks slathered in squashed banana will be on the menu throughout October, serving as a central gathering place for the hundreds of resting creatures and a unique photo opportunity for visitors.

Watch the owl butterflies in action at twilight from 4 to 7 p.m. each Tuesday in October. Explore the indoor conservatory on your own until it gets dark, or take a guided tour with Butterfly House staff at 6 p.m. Drop in the Lopata Learning Lab for hands-on family activities designed for ages 3 to 12. See all four stages of an owl butterfly’s life, make a colorful orchid mask, learn about the unique relationship between insects and orchids, play matching games and paint with watercolors. Pick up an all-ages quiz sheet and search the facility for answers to the clues; complete it correctly to receive a same-day ten percent discount in the Madame Butterfly Gift Shop.

Enjoy a special program by the World Bird Sanctuary on Tuesday, Oct. 25 from 5 to 6 p.m. Over 200 species of owls share our earth; meet several of these feathered friends, feel their power as they fly just above your head in the Emerson Lakeside Terrace and learn about their importance with “All About Owls” in the Lopata Learning Lab. Seating is limited and guests are encouraged to arrive early, as late arrivals are disruptive to the animals.

Day or night, don’t miss the over 100 blooming orchids on display inside the tropical conservatory, boasting dazzling colors and fragrant scents. Look for Phalaenopsis, Cattleyas and Dendrobiums in all their glory, nestled alongside peacock flowers, powder puff trees, jungle geraniums and other tropical plants. Bring along your camera; hand-held photography is welcome for personal use only (tripods, monopods and external flash equipment is not permitted).

The Butterfly House is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) and a division of the Missouri Botanical Garden.

*Description by the Butterfly House.