http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/native-butterfly-species-thrive-local-butterfly-house_61526.mp3
An egg brings forth a caterpillar, the caterpillar changes into a chrysalis, and from a chrysalis comes a butterfly. It’s truly an amazing sight. These changes in a butterfly reveal so much about the life cycle and are fascinating for the young and old. Dr. Chris Barnhart, professor of biology at Missouri State University, discusses native butterflies and the Dr. Bill Roston Native Butterfly House in The Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center and Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park.
The Fifth annual Friends of the Garden Butterfly Festival will be held July 20 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. with tours, vendors, demonstrations and activities. The event is free and open to the public.
This summer, the Roston Butterfly House will be open during the Monday-Friday from 5 p.m.-dusk and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The house will also be open on Independence Day.
For more information on the Roston Butterfly House, contact Lisa Bakerink, president of the Friends of the Garden, at (417) 891-1650.
For more information on the Butterfly Festival, contact Cindy Willis at (417) 522-5300 or cmw417@gmail.com.