2^nd Annual Emerald Valley Butterfly Festival

January 5-10, 2021 Lake Yojoa, Honduras

Honduras possesses a great variety of butterflies and to date over 1,200 species have been recorded which are found within the varied habitats across the country. Emerald Valley has proved to be an important site and likely harbors the most diverse set of species anywhere in the region.  An amazing 676 species have been documented there amidst the fifty acres of rich mid-elevation rainforest and includes one endemic, undescribed species. Likewise, the property also harbors more than 150 species of birds including three types of toucans, oropendolas, tinamou, motmots, tanagers and more.

In the months of December and January the Blue Mistflowers (Chromolaena odorata) bloom in the neatly tended gardens. This annual phenomenon literally attracts clouds of butterflies from all six families and is the only flower in the region to do so. Butterflies are attracted by its sweet smell and descend from the forest canopy as well as from the forest interior. On these flowers alone more than twenty country records have been documented.

Festival

The second butterfly festival in 2021 is the only event of its kind not only in Honduras, but also in all of Central America. The proprietors of Emerald Valley have been increasing the gardens that are planted with the Blue Mistflower in the hopes that it will attract even more species. The gardens are also filled with other types of flowers such as Lantana, Zinnias, Porterweed and others which also attract many butterflies, as well as hummingbirds!

Contest

We will again offer the butterfly photography contest and each participant will have the potential opportunity to contribute photos toward the future “Guide to the Butterflies of Honduras.” Be sure to take part in what will likely become one of the most talked about butterfly festival for years to come.

Sponsor

This event is sponsored by the Pro Nature Honduras Foundation (Pro-HN). For more information about the Butterfly Festival and registration please see their website: www.prohn.org

Documents

For more information please download the following documents

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