Colorful exhibit takes flight at Krohn Conservatory

CINCINNATI - “Butterflies of Brazil” have taken over the Krohn Conservatory.

The vivid and colorful display is now in full swing at the conservatory for the 16th annual Butterfly Show. And on Saturday, the conservatory saw a record number of people for its opening day with 1,800, said Andrea Schepmann, director of Krohn Conservatory.

There are more than 100 species and 16,000 butterflies fluttering throughout the duration of the show, among tropical plants and flowers.

“Every single day we’re releasing new butterflies into the exhibit and so every day you’re going to see close to 1,200 butterflies in here. Over a 10-week period of time we expect to have quite a lot of butterflies,” she said.

The Carnaval-inspired display includes a Samba queen butterfly lighting the façade to the entrance and the walkway is painted with bright, bold colors to imitate a Copacabana beachfront.

Aside from the butterfly room and décor themselves, there is also art gallery, a hammock-filled tent and an education room, where children can learn about butterflies as well as recycling, ecology and rainforests.

The colors in the décor are just as vivid and bright as some of the butterflies seen flying overhead, landing on your hand or shoulder.

“One of our featured butterflies is the Blue Morpho and it has the most incredible blue sheen color to it. So if wear blue when you come here, they’re attracted to blue. They can fly all around me. It’s a little early this morning for them to come flying around, but these are a featured butterfly from Brazil, from the Rainforest area and that’s why they really fly well for us all the time,” said Schepmann.

While many of the butterflies on display are from Brazil, some have a more familiar look.

“The butterflies that are in this display come, many of them, from Brazil, but not only just from Brazil. We do a representation of all the butterflies that are, people may see in their own backyard. You might see some Monarchs and a lot of times it’s more about the experience of just being surrounded by butterflies.”

Volunteers are still needed and for their time, each volunteer will receive passes to the show as well as a Reds voucher said Schepmann.

The “Butterflies of Brazil” will make the Krohn Conservatory their home until June 26.

For a complete list of activities and things to do and see, including adult happy hour events, while at Krohn for the Butterfly Show, visit www.butterflyshow.com.