BUTTERFLIES can be spooky as Stratford Butterfly Farm is out to prove.
The Monarch butterfly and the Mexican Red Knee Tarantula are taking centre stage for Halloween.
Visitors will be able to find out more about the migration story of the Monarch butterfly and its associations with the Day of the Dead during the half-term holiday.
The Monarch is the largest species found in the British Isles and one of the rarest migrants.
Renowned for its remarkable long-distance travel, they arrive like clockwork in Mexico around early November, which coincides with the Día de Muertos celebrations.
Many indigenous communities believe that these butterflies represent the souls of deceased loved ones returning to the earth to visit.
During the half-term holidays, from October 26 to November 3, there will be daily demonstrations of the Monarch butterfly’s lifecycle and migration in the Discovery Zone at 11am.
Meanwhile the Mexican Red Knee Tarantula is the latest new arrival in Minibeast Metropolis.
The Tarantula originates from the Pacific Coast of Mexico in dry forest and desert habitats. When threatened they flick hairs from their abdomen using their back legs.
Butterfly farm spokesperson Jane Kendrick said: “Get into the spirit of Halloween and help us celebrate the stunning Monarch butterfly and its close links to Day of the Dead. We’re also delighted to have this beautiful Mexican Red Knee Tarantula, a tarantula with which most people are familiar with from television/films. We also have plenty of scary insects for visitors to admire, although they are safely behind glass.”
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