It’s easy to remember butterflies only for their beautiful wings and graceful movements, but they are not born as we tend to recognize them. The life of a butterfly contains four stages of metamorphosis: from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to adult. These adaptable and resilient insects, along with other pollinators, are celebrated annually during the Festival of Butterflies at Powell Gardens.
For 26 years, nature enthusiasts have traveled to this Kingsville, Missouri, botanical garden to wonder at Queen and Monarch butterflies and moths. The Martha Jane Phillips Starr Conservatory holds space for guests to encounter these butterflies up close, sometimes witnessing their first post-metamorphosis flight.
Monarch preservation is a priority for Powell Gardens, as the winged wonders were designated an endangered species in 2022, and the festival features conservation talks in the Garden Galleries. Those interested in planting their own native pollinating plants can enjoy the Butterfly Meadow and the Native Butterfly Habitat full of native Midwestern butterflies. Also featured is a Moth Cave, Butterfly Lab, Flutter Fair, Science Exploratorium, and Ice Cream Parlor.
The festival also brings a new focus on butterflies across cultures. The first Saturday highlighted butterflies in Mexico, and this Saturday will center butterflies in the South Pacific Islands—in addition to live Polynesian dancing from Kona Winds. Saturday, August 5, turns to Japan with a performance and workshop with Tatsumaki Yosakoi before some Japanese puppetry with the Bunraku Bay Puppet Theater.
“We’re excited to introduce new culture weekends [and] pollinator education,” says Cody Jolliff, CEO of Powell Gardens, “It’s special to see multi-generational families return to experience the festival.”
If moths and simulated night forests are more your speed, the Moth Cave features a Luna Moth in the Visitor Center basement.
The Festival of Butterflies runs from July 20 to August 6. Visit Powell Gardens for more information.