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Butterfly House

Unique pollinator habitat open through September, with guided programs offered several times per week.

Pollinator flowers plants in the Butterfly House at the Childrens Museum of Southern Minnesota Mankato

Monarch Habitat

The Butterfly House at the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota expands nature-based play with a seasonal exhibit where children and families can enjoy the beauty of native butterflies in their natural environment. Monarchs will be showcased and the important role pollinators play in our lives is highlighted.

This exhibit is great for...

an immersive experience for the whole family!

Pollinators

Pollinators such as butterflies, bees, wasps, moths, beetles, hummingbirds, bats, and even the wind play a vital part in agricultural production and our environment. Without them, the human race and the earth’s ecosystems would not survive.

Host Plants

The plants that butterflies lay their eggs on are called host plants. These plants provide nourishment for the developing larvae and caterpillar. For Monarch butterflies, Milkweed is the only host plant.

Nectar Plants

The CMSM Butterfly House has a variety of nectar plants that are specific to the needs of monarchs. This includes Perennials such as Joe Pye Weed, New England Aster, Lilies, Purple Coneflower, Meadow Blazing Star, Coreopsis, Wild Bergamot, and Blanket Flower; and Annuals such as Marigold, Zinnia, Verbena, Lantana, and Cosmos.

Butterfly House Guided Tour Schedule

2023 June

Week 1

Sun 28
Mon 29
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Support for the Butterfly House and the pollinator programming has been provided, in part, by grants and donations from Drummers Garden Center & Floral, the Minnesota Humanities Center and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, and the Union Pacific Railroad Foundation.