Anyone with an affinity for butterflies now has the opportunity to get up close and personal with the insect.
The Butterflies and Blooms exhibit at the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park, located at 100 John F. Kennedy Drive, was unveiled Wednesday and is open to the public.
Visitors, after paying the price of admission, can walk into a roughly 1,800-square-foot cottage garden style room and be one with the butterflies’ environment, conservatory spokeswoman Nina Sazevich said.
Between 12 and 20 different species of North American butterflies will be on display, fluttering around and drinking the nectar from the many flowers, Sazevich said.
The species will change throughout the seasons. Some of the species butterfly lovers can expect include monarchs, western swallowtails, red admirals and zebra long wings, Sazevich said.
All the butterflies are free flying, she said.
In addition to having the opportunity to view several butterflies in the exhibit’s intimate setting, visitors will also get to see the metamorphosis of caterpillar to butterfly, Sazevich said.
A butterfly bungalow is set up in the center of the room, where butterflies “will be emerging left and right,” according to Sazevich.
Anyone visiting the exhibit will get a booklet that explains a butterfly’s life cycle, as well as a chart identifying each species at the exhibit, she said. Docents will also be on hand to answer any questions.
It is the third time the exhibit has been on display at the conservatory, previously on display in 2003 and 2008.
The exhibit is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Oct. 20. Admission ranges from $2 to $7; children 4 and under are admitted for free.
