Hundreds of Butterflies will Flutter onto Frisco Square when  
Pavilion of Butterflies Exhibit opens this summer
Friday, June 7 – Monday, June 17, 2013

Frisco - Visitors will come face to face with the majestic colors and brilliant patterns of more than 40 species of butterflies and moths at Frisco’s first outdoor butterfly exhibit at the Frisco Discovery Center near downtown Frisco. This popular outdoor attraction will open June 7 through June 17, 2013.   

Hundreds of free-flying butterflies and moths will flutter through the landscaped Pavilion on the Discovery Center’s West Lawn.  More than half are native to Texas and all are native to North America. Giant Swallowtails, American Painted Ladies, Sulfurs and more will fill the air around visitors, or alight delicately on their arms.

Showcase for butterflies

The Pavilion of Butterflies will showcase the fascinating dance between butterflies, moths, and the plants that surround them, an interaction that has been refined over the course of millions of years. See up close how butterflies use their tubular mouthparts to obtain nectar and witness caterpillars feed on leaves and go through the process of their transformation into adults. Various butterflies are present at different lifecycle stages during the exhibit from chomping caterpillars to beautiful butterflies.

Exhibit highlights

Step into the colorful butterfly house and get ready to explore the fascinating life cycle of these amazing insects, from egg to caterpillar and then from chrysalis to spectacular beautiful butterfly.  It's a beautiful sight!

More than 40 different butterfly and moth species and an array of plants take up temporary residence this summer The Science Safari Company’s much-anticipated seasonal exhibit, the Pavilion of Butterflies.  Visitors will wander through a unique changing ecosystem, witness free-flying creatures interacting with plant life, and emerge with a better understanding of the environment needed for the survival of these spectacular animals.

Once inside, you’ll come face to face with 100s of live native butterflies from all over the region, like this black Swallowtail. You'll see lots of them in this exhibit.

The female butterfly takes great care to find the right place to lay her eggs – on or near the caterpillar’s favorite food plant. Inside each egg is a tiny curled up caterpillar.

Next, head to the hatchery where you’ll find rows of chrysalises. These are protective cases that caterpillars form around themselves, so that they can change into butterflies inside. This change is called metamorphosis. 

If you’re lucky, you might spot a butterfly or moth emerging from its chrysalis, like the swallowtail. After they hatch, they are released into the butterfly house.
 
Ready, Set, its first flight. The butterfly inflates its wings and waits for them to dry.  When it finally takes to the skies, it will need to find some food.

Butterflies get all their energy from sucking up sugary liquids. Most feed on nectar, but others enjoy rotten fruit.

Disappearing woodland, meadow and other habitats are bad news for many butterfly and moth species, which are now in decline. As you leave the exhibit, get tips on how to attract butterflies and create your own butterfly garden.

Pavilion of Butterflies Activities Schedule 

Butterflies in your stomach - literally!

Join our staff for Saturday breakfast featuring kid friendly, butterfly inspired cuisine. Tickets by reservation only and are on first come first come bases.  To reserve your tickets, please call 469-213-9329 or email tickets@thesciencesafarico.com. Special ticketed admission applies and includes exhibit admission.   Children: $7.00, Adults: $9.50
Scouting Days-  June 13, 14 & 15.

Scouting days offer the opportunity for scouts to explore the Pavilion of Butterflies and gather information to earn a merit badge.  Special group admission will apply to Boy Scout, Girl Scouts and their families.  Scouts should be dress in uniform to receive discounts. Special admission applies on scout days only.

Explore the exhibit store

In addition to the visiting the Pavilion of Butterflies exhibit, check out the exhibit store.  Featuring insect inspired products such as jewelry, toys, books, and bugs and of course, BUTTERFLIES!   Open during exhibit hours.

Pavilion of Butterflies Exhibit information 

Pavilion of Butterflies Exhibit is presented by The Science Safari Company.  The exhibit will be located outside on the Frisco Discovery Center’s west Lawn.

The Frisco Discovery Center is located near downtown Frisco Square at 8004 N. Dallas Pkwy., Frisco, TX 75034. The Pavilion of Butterflies exhibit hours are 10 am to 5 pm, June 7 through June 17, 2013.

The Pavilion of Butterflies is an outdoor special exhibit. As such, it is subject to closure at any time due to inclement weather. Weather permitting; the Pavilion of Butterflies is open daily from 10 am-5 pm.  For more information, call (469)213-9329, or visit www.thesciencesafarico.com. (new website unveiling May 8, 2013) 

Pavilion of Butterflies Admission

 Adults $6.00 Students with ID, youth (13-17) and seniors (60+) $5.00 Children: (3-12) $4.00. Children under 3, free.

Coming Soon…

The Great Big Dig !   A Kids Dino Dig Summer 2013

The Big Bug Adventure- A exhibit about metamorphosis and life as a bug Summer 2013

TARATULA!- A creepy, crawly creature exhibit featuring arachnids   October 2013

About The  Science  Safari  Company

The Science Safari Company is an on-site (traveling) exhibit company.  Their mission: to educate and inspire wonder about the world of science.  The Science Safari Company has presented bug exhibits for both the LA County Fair, The Orange County Pet Expo, LA Kids Expo and the Dallas kids expo.  The Science safari enjoys swatting at misconceptions about bugs that buzz like bees around their exhibits.  Their on-site exhibits are also available to schools, churches, county fairs and corporate events.  Their motto: Explore, Experiment, Discover!.
The Family of Museums serves hundreds of families and visitors annually, and is a leader in exhibitions  and education learning fun for the whole family .