Sophia M. Sachs – Education Center
The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, a division of the Missouri Botanical Garden, officially opened to the public September 18, 1998. Located in St. Louis County’s Faust Park,
the central feature of the attraction is an 8,000-square-foot glass conservatory where visitors mingle with more than 60 species of the world’s most beautiful butterflies in free flight. The Butterfly House was the first facility dedicated entirely to invertebrates in the country to be granted accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
The Conservatory is lushly planted with nearly 100 species of exotic flowering tropical plants. Visitors see enormous species diversity including huge iridescent blue Morphos from Costa Rica, the Ruby Lacewing from Malaysia and the Golden Birdwing from the Philippines.
More about butterflies and their cousins
Western Tiger Swallowtail
a common butterfly in the Western U.S., closely resembling its counterpart, the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.
It is a striking butterfly, with impressive large yellow and black wings, and spots of blue and orange near its tail.
Family: Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
Subfamily: Swallowtail (Papilioninae)
Average Wingspan: 2 3/4″ – 4″
Habitat: Open woodlands, streams, river banks,
Papilio rutulus
The adults feed on nectar from a variety of plants so if you live in the West, keep your eyes open for this beautiful and popular butterfly in your own garden.