April 10 to August 22, 2010


Behold the freakish, bewildering marvels of the invertebrate world at the Butterfly Pavilion starting in April as you venture through our newest exhibit, Dr. Entomo’s Palace of Exotic Wonders.

Resembling an old-fashioned circus sideshow, this

exhibit explores the truth, myths and mysteries surrounding some of nature’s most curious creatures – many of them alive and on view. Those daring enough to enter will be captivated by the deceptive and treacherous techniques of over two dozen invertebrates.

Visitors will learn the natural history of the animals on display, and in some instances even interact with the live animals.

Discover how vinegaroons spray acid and how the “Devil with Two Heads,” also known as the Vietnamese centipede, confounds predators with a tail that looks just like its head. This family-friendly exhibit is sure to amaze visitors of all ages.

Dr. Entomo’s also includes the “Mini Palace of Wonders,” an active play area for children under 5. 


Learn More Here


Exhibit Overview
Let Dr. Entomo by your guide as you explore the wonderful world of invertebrates in all their strange splendor. From glow-in-the-dark scorpions to the world’s biggest tarantula, Dr. Entomo’s living animals will fascinate visitors of all ages.

Reminiscent of a traditional circus sideshow, Dr. Entomo’s features more than two dozen living and mounted invertebrates that showcase their unique diversity and life habits.

Suitable for visitors of all ages, this exhibit is family-friendly in its design and content.


The exhibit is divided into eight sections:

Introduction / Entrance
Glowing Terror
Living Mummies
Mama Nature’s Chemical Factory
The Devil with Two Heads
The Rogues Gallery of Criminals
Theatre of the Macabre
The Gaff

Each section of the exhibit presents a new concept based on the natural history of the animal(s) on display. In some instances, you will be challenged to question your own beliefs about the true value of invertebrates, and more specifically arthropods.

You will learn what an arthropod is, explore the great mysteries of the arthropod world, and discover how arthropods are unique and important. Colorful displays will explain the life cycle of several animals, explain unusual defenses of arthropods, and explore myths and common misconceptions of arthropods.

You may even be challenged to figure out what’s real or fake!


Animals on Display

Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches - Gromphodorhina portentosa
Zebra Tarantula - Eutholus sp.
Rose-Haired Tarantula – Grammastola cala
Emperor Scorpion - Pandinus emperator
Whip Scorpion - Mastigoproctus gigantus
Desert Hairy Scorpions - Hadrurus arizonensis
African Millipedes - Spirostrepida gigantus
Giant mealworms/Darkling Beetles – Tenebrio molitor
Giant Sonoran Centipede- Scolopendra heros
Vietnamese Centipede – Scolopendra sp.
Goliath Bird Eating Tarantula – Theraphosa blondi
Black Widow – Latrodectus mactans
Chinese Mantid – Tenodera aridifolia sinensis
American Cockroaches – Oeriplaneta Americana
Vinegaroon – Mastigoproctus gigantus
Wolf spider – Lycosidae spp
House Crickets – Acheta domestica
Brazilian White Knee – Acanthoscurria geniculata
Additional, Mounted Specimens
Pepsis Wasp/Tarantula
Canned Crickets,Pickled Mealworms, roasted crickets, other edible foods
“The Gaff” mythical Giant Bug
Stick Insects
Southeast Asian Dung Beetles
Asian Stage Beetles

Volunteer Opportunities
Become a Dr. Entomo Specialist and engage visitors exploring an old-fashioned circus sideshow revealing many truths, myths and mysteries of nature’s most curious creatures. Volunteers of all ages are needed. To learn more, click here.
Educator Resources
Please check back soon for more information.
Visitor Information
Dr. Entomo’s Palace of Exotic Wonders is included with general admission. The exhibit is located in the traveling exhibits hall and can be accessed anytime during normal business hours.

Hours:

Open 7 days week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last entrance at 4:15 p.m.)

Prices:

Adults $8.50
Seniors (65+) $6.50
Children (2-12) $5.50
Children 1 year old and under FREE

Location:

The Butterfly Pavilion is conveniently located just 15 minutes from downtown Denver off Hwy 36 at 104th Avenue.

The Butterfly Pavilion
6252 W. 104th Avenue
Westminster, CO 80020

Hwy 36 is a great way to get to the Butterfly Pavilion. It's easy, convenient and easily accessible. Just travel west on Hwy 36 and exit north on 104th Avenue. We are located on the corner of 104th Avenue and Westminster Blvd. Our parking lot entrance in located off Westminster Blvd.
Media
Please check back soon for more information
Sponsorship

Invest in our future and your own by helping the Pavilion to enhance and maintain its exhibits
and programs. Your support ensures ongoing enrichment and education in our community.
The Butterfly Pavilion is a non-profit invertebrate zoo dedicated to science education and
conservation. With butterflies purchased from farmers in the tropics, we support sustainable agriculture in rainforests worldwide preventing deforestation and habitat loss.

Donations accepted over the phone, by mail and through Givingfirst.org. You can send donations to 6252 W. 104th Avenue, Westminster, CO 80020 or call 720-970-1866 for more information.

 


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If it creeps, crawls, slithers, flies, wiggles or squirms, chances are you'll find it here. Come for the butterflies, then stay for the spiders, scorpions, millipedes, centipedes, horseshoe crabs, sea stars, and walking sticks. Love to learn? We also offer youth education programming, volunteer opportunities and lifelong learning. Only 15 minutes from downtown Denver. Butterflies are just the beginning.

 

6252 West 104th Ave. Westminster, CO 80020 • Map it • Hours

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