FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
About our butterflies...
How many butterflies are there in the Butterfly House?
All year round, there are about 400 free flying butterflies.
How many different species are there in the Butterfly House?
There are around 40 different species.
Are there any indigenous butterflies in the Butterfly House?
No, because of the environment, there are only tropical butterflies.
Do you breed the butterflies in the building?
No, the butterflies are bred in recognized butterfly farms. We do not catch any butterflies in the wild and do not show any threatened species.
Do the butterflies breed in the Butterfly House?
Yes, some butterflies breed in the house. For instance the Owl butterfly and various arts of Heliconious.
Why do not more butterflies breed in the Butterfly House?
Each species has its own prefered host plant on which the female lays her eggs. The caterpillar will not eat of any other plant. In the Butterfly House there is not enough space for the amount of plants the caterpillars would eat.
How do the pupae get on to the wooden sticks?
We receive the butterflies as pupae and glue them to the sticks. The procedure is not harmful to the butterfly and when it is ready to hatch the butterfly crawls out.
The colours of the pupae differ. Is that because there are different stages and that the pupae is ready to hatch?
No, only the different species of pupae have different colours and shapes. When the basic colour of each pupae gets darker though, the butterfly is ready to hatch.
How long does a butterfly live?
That depends on the species. Tropical butterflies generally live between one to five weeks, with a full life cycle that can take as little as ten weeks. European butterflies can live considerably longer and the life cycle can take a full year.
How big is the biggest butterfly in the Butterfly House and what is it called?
The biggest butterly is the Atlas moth (Attacus Atlas). The female can have a wingspan of up to 30 centimeters.
How hot is it in the Butterfly House and how high is the humidity?
The temperature fluctuates between 26 and 35 degrees. The humidity is about 80%. These are the best conditions for the butterflies.
Can butterflies bite, scratch or sting?
No, the butterflies have only a proboscis, with which to eat. It has no teeth, jaws, stings or claws.
Are there any poisonous butterflies?
Yes, the colour red for instance, is a warning colour which might indicate that the butterfly is poisonous to eat. They are however only dangerous for birds and other animals. For human beings there is absolutely no danger.
Why do some butterflies have torn wings?
When a butterfly gets older, its wings will get torn or damaged. This is normal as during their life, they fly into twigs, leaves and branches of trees. They can however fly, with as much as 35% of their wings destroyed.
About the Butterfly House...
We would like to have a guided tour of the Butterfly House. Is that possible?
Yes our guides are happy to show you around. Please look under Prices for more information.
Can we visit the entire Palm House?
No, the Butterfly House is one part of the Palm House. Next door is the Palm House Café and greenhouses for the overwintering of plants.
I would like to rent the Butterfly House for an event. Is that possible?
Yes, we let the Butterfly House for various events. For instance product presentations and exhibitions, seminars and workshops, readings and concerts, fashion shows and photo shootings. Further information under Booking.
Can you get married in the Butterfly House?
Yes, we let the Butterfly House for weddings. Many couples already have made their vows with the butterflies as witnesses. Further information under Weddings.
If you have
further questions, please contact us by phone on +43 1 5338570, or write us an email at info@schmetterlinghaus.at.
Are there hotels nearby?
To find accommodations near the Schmetterlinghaus, visit HotelsCombined.
