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Butterfly species on display

Foremost's Butterflies Are Blooming boasts dozens of different species of tropical butterflies in the exhibit. Many of these species are shown below.

New in 2008: The African Moon Moth

While most of the species on display come from Asia or South and Central America, Frederik Meijer Gardens proudly announces the arrival of the African Moon Moth or Argema mimosae. The African Moon Moth has a larger cousin found in Madagascar. The caterpillars feed on the Mango family and other resinous families.


Argema mimosae African Moon Moth

Asian butterflies

These Asian butterflies are native to Malaysia, Singapore, China, Burma, and some of the surrounding islands. These butterflies have magnificent color and markings, but perhaps their most distinguishing characteristics are their large size and wingspan.


Papilio polytes Common Mormon	Papilio palinurus Banded Peacock	Papilio rumanzovia Scarlet Mormon


Papilio memnon Great Mormon	Papilio demoleus Lime Butterfly	Pachliopta aristolochiae Common Rose


Cethosia hypsea Leopard Lacewing	Idea leuconoe Tree Nymph	Parthenos sylvia Clipper


Papilio helenus Red Helen	Cethosia cyane New Lacewing

Other Asian species that can be found at the exhibit:
Kallima paralekta Indian Leaf	Hebomoia glaucippe Great Orange Tip	Dolpha evelina
Vindula dejone	Graphium agamemnon	Actias maenas
Actius luna	Atticus atlas

Central and South American butterflies


Danaus gilippus Queen	Dryadula phaetusa Banded Orange	Dryas julia Julia Longwing


Heliconius charitonius Zebra Longwing	Heliconius cydno Blue Longwing	Heliconius doris Doris Longwing


Heliconius eleuchia Eleuchia Longwing	Heliconius erato Small Postman	Heliconius hecalesia


Heliconius ismenius Tiger Longwing	Heliconius melpomene Postman	Heliconius sapho Sapho Longwing


Morpho peleides Blue Morpho	Myscelia cyaniris Blue Wing	Parides iphidamas Pink Cattleheart


Heliconius erato cyrbia	Greta oto Glasswing

Other Central and South American species that can be found at the exhibit:
Battus polydamas Battus Swallowtail	Heliconius erato notabilis	Heliconius erato lativitta
Heliconius himera	Heliconius telesiphe	Heliconius sara Sara Longwing
Papilio anchisiades Ruby-Spotted Swallowtail	Papilio polyxenes Black Swallowtail	Caligo memnon Great Owl
Callicore pitheas	Panacea prola	Opsiphanes tamarindi
Colobura dirce	Pteronymia cotytto