Behind the Scenes at Butterfly Bungalow

By Morgan Jepson, Marketing + Communications Intern

The Bungalow opened this season with 400 butterflies representing around 14 species. And more fluttering friends will continue to arrive each Wednesday through the end of August! Current residents include Malachite, Orange Barred Sulphur, Eastern Comma, Julia, Zebra Longwing, Polydamas, Swallowtail, Monarch, Red Admiral, Common Buckeye, Painted Lady and several types of Swallowtails, including Eastern Black, Spicebush, Giant and Zebra.

Once the butterflies are awake and adjusted, hunger begins to set in. What’s on their mind? Nectar! This sugary liquid found inside of flowers is essential for their energy. Most butterflies will feed from nearly any nectar plant, but some have more refined palettes. That’s why the plant selection inside the Bungalow is so intentional. “Every plant has a reason and a purpose,” Candace affirms. Before inviting any new butterfly species to the Bungalow, she ensures the proper host and nectar plants are present. As you explore the 30×50-foot enclosure, you will find a rich collection of plants thoughtfully selected to support butterflies at every stage of life. There’s Milkweed and Butterfly Weed for Monarchs, Thistle for Painted Ladies and more. Plant origin matters, too! Candace researches where each plant will come from and who grows it to decide if starting from seed would be best.

In addition to blooms, the butterflies are also offered a plethora of additional food sources. “On warm, humid days, they get sugar water on sponge brushes,” Candace says. “They also love fruit; especially fermented fruit like overripe watermelon, grapes and oranges.” Visitors can spot these treats suspended in feeders throughout the Bungalow. She suggests that at home, you might try placing leftover Fourth of July watermelon outside to attract butterflies (just beware of raccoons who might be tempted, too!) And when temperatures dip? “We give them Gatorade to ensure that they have plenty of electrolytes,” she adds.

“Believe it or not, butterflies often prefer salt to sugar,” Candace explains. “If you’ve ever seen one land on your shoe or hat, they’re probably after minerals.” That’s also why butterflies are frequently drawn to the ground. To accommodate this, staff regularly rake the soil inside the enclosure to stir up mineral content. It’s one of the most important things to watch for while visiting: butterflies may be right beside your feet, gathering nutrients from the soil. So, tread carefully!

The plants inside the Bungalow aren’t only there to feed adult butterflies. Host plants—equally important—serve as safe places for butterflies to lay eggs and for future hungry caterpillars to munch. One standout is the native Turkey Tangled Frog Fruit (say that three times fast), a low-growing plant that resembles grass and hosts both the Common Buckeye and the White Peacock. For the striking Zebra Swallowtail, native Pawpaw fruit-bearing trees play a key role in their lifecycle.

Throughout the summer, visitors can witness the butterfly life cycle firsthand: from tiny egg to hungry caterpillar to chrysalis to winged beauty. Fertilized female butterflies typically lay 150–300 eggs at a time on host plants, although that number tends to be lower in the Bungalow’s compact environment at closer to 100. Within 3–7 days, a caterpillar emerges and begins munching nonstop for about two weeks. When ready, it finds a place to pupate, forming a chrysalis. After another 7–14 days, a new butterfly emerges and begins drying its wings in the sun. The full cycle can take as little as one month and up to two.

When is the best time to meet the butterflies at peak activity? “Sunny days are when they’re most friendly and energetic,” Candace says. “On chilly or rainy days, they behave a lot like we do; they gravitate toward leaves to snuggle up and stay warm.” Many of the plants inside the Bungalow were chosen specifically to offer sheltering nooks for resting butterflies. Candace affectionately remarked that butterflies love to group together to keep warm—butterfly cuddle puddles!

Have you heard the term, ‘social butterfly’? You might be surprised to learn that butterflies have different personalities and social preferences, much like people. “Smaller species like Red Admirals, Painted Ladies and Common Buckeyes are usually the most interactive,” Candace clarifies, “Larger butterflies like Swallowtails tend to be independent and prefer a bit more distance.” Her personal favorite? The Malachite butterfly. “They’re big, bold, and beautiful,” she says. “With wings open, they’re green, teal and black. With wings closed, they’re a subtle green and white. They’re one of the few large butterflies that will land on you and just hang out.”

Hanging out with the butterflies is absolutely encouraged while inside the enclosure, but sadly, they can’t come home with you. The Bungalow is equipped with an air-lock style entrance and exit system to keep them safe inside. There’s even a mirror at the exit! It’s not just a fun selfie photo-op, but a practical method of checking your person for any butterflies that might be hitching a ride!

The Bungalow’s mission goes beyond beauty—it’s about pollinator education. “Our goal is to help visitors understand the importance of all pollinators, and how both nectar and host plants support their survival,” Candace says. Butterflies play a crucial role in plant reproduction, carrying pollen from flower to flower as they gather nectar. With butterfly gardening growing in popularity, the Bungalow offers real-life inspiration. Many of the same plants, like Milkweed, Passionflower and Fennel, can be grown at home to support local pollinators. Candace encourages visitors to strike up a conversation with the staff while visiting, “If you like a plant, we can tell you its name, whether it’s native and what it attracts. You can take that knowledge home with you.” It’s about so much more than planting a pretty garden; it’s about creating a haven for pollinators and learning to live in greater harmony with the natural world.

Whether you’re hoping to meet a bold Malachite, spot a caterpillar munching away, or simply marvel at the vicarious flutter of wings all around you, the Butterfly Bungalow at Daniel Stowe Conservancy invites you to step inside and be inspired. Who knows? You might leave ready to plant your very own butterfly haven at home. Candace and her winged companions are awaiting your arrival!

Professional photos courtesy of Suemar Birkenstock