Dream Drives: Philadelphia Insectarium & Butterfly Pavilion

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A newly-expanded butterfly pavilion in Holmesburg is like stepping into a whole new world: The Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion.

This is the largest butterfly pavilion to be built in Philadelphia, said Dr. John Cambridge, CEO. He is the butterfly whisperer who oversaw the multimillion dollar renovation.

"It is like a rainforest in here!" said CBS 3's Meisha Johnson. "So what is the temperature in here?"

"Temperature, we keep between 75 and 80 degrees," John said.

"How many different species are in here, and how many in general?" Meisha asked.

"Great question," John said. "At any given time, we're probably going to have about a hundred species in here. It's going to be some natives and some tropicals."

The pavilion eventually will fill with about 8000 butterflies and moths. Hundreds are being born right now.

John showed Meisha the glass-enclosed chrysalis chamber. "This is where people get an opportunity to actually see these guys emerge," John said. Then the butterflies are brought out of the chrysalis chamber in a mesh box to be released.

The butterflies can explore the tall foliage, or float underneath a curved tunnel covered in vines and Spanish moss, lit by tiny white LED lights.

The Insectarium still has its famous collection of live bugs. "Our mantis collection is incredible," John said. "We've got staff that are ready to let you hold these critters."

Visitors who want to attract a butterfly should "wear something really bright," John said. "Wear bright red, bright pink, blue. They think you're a flower."

Meisha's pink dress worked: "My little buddy, hanging out!" she joked.

The new butterfly pavilion opened February 24. "Our motto is science is art, so everything is beautiful, but everything is educational," John said.

The Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion is at 8046 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19136.

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