Desert Botanical Garden Butterflies

2007 was the 6th year for the Spring Butterfly Exhibit at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona, and every year it seems to be getting more popular. There is also a Fall exhibit just for Monarchs.

If you've never been in a butterfly exhibit like the Marshall Butterfly Pavilion, you've probably never seen so many on one small space. Because they're in a confined space with lots of people walking by, they're also quite tame so approaching them is no problem at all and they seem to ignore the visitors for the most part.


Eastern Tiger Swallowtail	Gulf Fritillary	Julia

Buckeye	Gulf Fritillary	Spicebush Swallowtail

Julia and Gulf Fritillary	Zebra Longwing	Julia

Spicebush Swallowtail	Zebra Swallowtail	Painted Lady

Julia	Gulf Fritillary	Julia

Cecropia Moth	Luna Moth	Promethea Moth

Julia	Gulf Fritillary	White Peacock

Zebra Longwing	Giant Swallowtail	Giant Swallowtail

Cecropia	Cecropia	Cecropia

Julia	Julia	Julia

The Exhibit

The exhibit itself is basically a large tent with screens to let sunlight in. There are two "air locks" on either end for the entrance and exit so that the butterflies do not escape. Only so many spectators are allowed in at a time so there might be a small wait to enter. Unless you're already a member of the DBG, entrance requires a special ticket (currently $2) which is purchased at the time you enter the grounds. Though I'm very much in favor of having a year round facility which would require temperature control, when the weather is conducive the near "open air" approach of this straightforward tent is simply wonderful.

The Kids

When it comes to kids and the exhibit, they generally come in two flavors: those that love it and are overjoyed when a butterfly lands on them and those that treat the flying butterflies like they were bees.

The Kids & Their Cameras


As you can see, they can come pretty young!	And a little older ...	And the kids can be pretty big, too!