Butterflies
Enchanted Wings displays both preserved (dried) butterflies and live ones.
The preserved collection displayed is only a fraction of Robertīs
private collection and is meant to show the diversity of species
found within the country. Displayed is approximately 10% of
the species found here. Representatives of each of the
six familias are shown here. It contains many beautiful and
rare species found in Honduras, a number of which are new
records for the country.
Click here to see a variety of preserved butterflies.
The live butterfly breeding program is an on going, day to day operation. 
Our facility raises about 30 species of local butterflies which varies from month to month. The months with the most species and most individuals are June through October. Literally thousands of butterflies are raised on-site each year.
The tiny butterfly eggs are gathered from the flyway each day and are placed in small containers. Within a couple days the tiny larvae hatch and are given some small leaves to feed on.
Larvae in cages
Pre-pupa; pupa in cage
Once they grow a little bigger they are then transferred to the larger cages where each is fed its special foodplant.
Once the pupa is formed it is left to dry for a day before being transferred to the hatching box.
Click here to see a variety of larvae, or here to see a variety of pupae.
Within six to twenty days the butterfly will emerge, usually in the morning hours.
Emerging butterfly to full size butterfly-Heliconius doris
Within one to four hours the newly hatched butterfly will have spread and dried its wings and is ready to fly.
At E.W. some butterflies are let go into the wild to replenish local populations, but most are put back into the butterfly house to continue with the breeding program.
Butterfly house; Honduran family enjoying their visit
Click here to see a variety of live butterflies and other photos from the butterfly house.