Visitors and volunteers have a lot of great questions about Olbrich's Butterfly Bonanza at Olbrich Botanical Gardens.   Here, Olbrich's Bolz Conservatory Curator John Wirth answers a few of them.   Docents will be on hand during the exhibit to answer more butterfly questions. 

Q.  Where will the butterflies come from?
A.  All of the butterflies will be bred in captivity on butterfly farms in the United States.  None of them will be collected from the wild. 

Q.  How will the butterflies be released into the Conservatory?
A. All butterflies will be sent to Olbrich in the chrysalis stage.  They will then be carefully hung inside a hatchery box in the Conservatory.  Visitors will be able to see them emerge into beautiful adult winged butterflies through a hatchery window, then staff and specially trained volunteers will assist the butterflies to fly free into the Conservatory. 

Q.  What will the butterflies eat?
A. Certain flowering plants are known to be rich sources of nourishing nectar and pollen for butterflies.  Those plants will be placed in various areas inside the Conservatory, along with sugar water feeders for supplemental nourishment. 

Q.  Will the butterflies be safe from the Conservatory's circulating fans and resident birds?
A.  The Conservatory fans are covered by fine nylon mesh which will keep wandering butterflies from entering the blades.  The Conservatory's birds are seed eaters and won't have any interest in the butterflies as a food source. 

Q.  What will you do with the butterflies when the exhibit is over?
A.  The life span of different butterflies varies from a few weeks to a few months.  All flying butterflies will be allowed to live out their lives in the Conservatory, with food sources remaining after the exhibit dates. 

Q.  Are the butterflies native to tropical regions like the plants in the Conservatory?
A. All butterfly species for this event are native to the continental United States. Some are found outdoors in Wisconsin while others are native to places as far away as the Rio Grand Valley of south Texas and subtropical south Florida. 

Q.  Will there be any changes in the Conservatory environment for this event?
A.  Temperature and humidity won't change from the norms.  It will warm daily into the 80's and low 90's, with humidity levels about 60% at all times.  These conditions are ideal for the health of the butterflies. 

Q.  Will visitors be able to hold the butterflies?
A.  Flight for butterflies often seems to be effortless but they do need to rest on occasion.  If you're very still, it's possible that one may decide to use you as a convenient park bench.  Just hold still and don't touch!

Q.  When are the butterflies most active?
A.  Warm temperatures and sunshine promote the most flight activity.   The Conservatory will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  This time should be ideal for viewing these beautiful creatures as they glide through the buoyant Conservatory air.