The twelfth edition of Butterflies Go Free will take wing on February 19 and run until April 26. This year, the spotlight will be on New World butterflies and moths during this must-see event organized by the Montréal Insectarium and Botanical Garden.

Splendid butterflies and moths from North, Central and South America, including some local winged wonders, have already confirmed that they’ll be attending! Don't miss this unique opportunity to admire some well- and lesser-known species from near and far.

Interestingly enough, the Americas are home to the world’s largest variety of butterfly and moth species. The wide range of climatic conditions has created fabulously rich ecosystems full of flora and fauna in an explosion of shapes and colours. Most of these butterflies and moths come from tropical forests in Central and South America, but what about North America, Quebec in particular?

Quebec butterflies and moths, from one extreme to another!
Over the years, the seasons here in Quebec have influenced the life cycles of local butterflies and moths. Each fall, they enter diapause, which means that their metabolism slows right down until the following spring. Quebec is home to 3,051 species of butterflies and moths. Many of them are quite unfamiliar to most people, because 85% of these species are moths.

For instance, have you ever seen a lovely lime-green luna moth, a polyphemus moth with its wingspots that resemble owls' eyes, or a cecropia moth with its wingspan of up to 16 cm, said to be the province's largest insect? Quebec butterflies and moths are certainly interesting but it's often difficult to spot them in the wild. Another great reason to come see them here, under optimal conditions!

The cradle of fair-trade butterfly farming
The Americas are renowned not only for the diversity of their butterflies and moths. This is also where the first butterfly farms were established in the early 1980s, in Costa Rica. A number of countries have since adopted this sustainable development model, which is a way of protecting forests while creating local jobs. The Montréal Insectarium carefully selects its suppliers in order to choose "fair-trade" butterflies and moths and support environmental protection and local communities.

From February 19 to April 26, 2009,
let your creative spirit soar in the Botanical Garden's Main Exhibition Greenhouse!

February 19 to April 26, 2009 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday Open Monday, February 23, March 2 (school break) and April 13 (Easter) Montréal Botanical Garden 4101, rue Sherbrooke Est Montréal (Québec) Canada, H1X 2B2 Pie-IX Metro station Telephone : 514 872-1400

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