Issue 36 2023 - Journal - Page 74
Meet the mini-beasts at
Stratford Butterfly Farm
Escape the cold this winter and feel the the warmth at
Stratford Butterfly Farm. With temperatures of 25°C, the
popular attraction is the ideal place to take family and
friends to enjoy the heat of a summer’s day, however
distant that may feel!
Visitors recently watched the stunning Christmas
Butterfly, also known as Papilio demodocus as it flew
around the rainforest flight area. This beautiful butterfly,
which is primarily black and yellow, is native to Africa and
has an average wingspan of 9 – 11cm. The caterpillars
feed on citrus trees and hence is also known as the ‘Citrus
Swallowtail’.
New on display in Minibeast Metropolis are two Giant
Hooded Katydids, also known as Siliquofera grandis,
which are native to Papa New Guinea. They are named
after the large ‘hood’ which makes up the first segment of
the thorax. The specimens on display at the Butterfly
Farm are incredibly large with a wingspan of 25cm. They
are unique in the fact that the Butterfly Farm is the first
only UK Zoo to have them on public display!
The entire family can also get up close to creatures such
as Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches, African Land
Snails, and a variety of Stick Insects by taking part in the
Meet the Mini-Beast handling sessions which take place
daily in the Discovery Zone at 11am from 18th to 26th
February 2023.
Jane Kendrick, Marketing Manager at Stratford Butterfly
Farm said, “With hundreds of spectacular butterflies, plus
meeting our new inhabitants, Meet the Mini beast
handling sessions, and browsing in our Gift Shop, we have
all the ingredients for a truly tropical 2023!”
The Butterfly Farm’s Gift Shop is a treasure trove of ideas
and a wonderful place to buy stocking fillers and nature
inspired presents. Gift vouchers for admission and season
tickets are a lovely way to treat family and friends to a
tropical rainforest experience and can be purchased from
the website.
To see hundreds of spectacular butterflies, insects, reptiles,
and spiders visit the Butterfly Farm from 10am to 5:00pm,
last entry 3.30pm. Open every day of the week except
Christmas Day. For more information including purchasing gift vouchers, admission prices and group rates, please
visit the website at www.butterflyfarm.co.uk
or telephone on 01789 299288.
