The Thai temple on Spain's Costa del Sol, in Benalmádena, is intriguing. But no matter how much you guess, the correct answer will surprise you: the exotic building near the Colomares Castle is home to the Park of Butterflies or Mariposario. If you have a young naturalist in the family, visiting this park is a real treat.
Benalmadena's Butterfly Park is home to 1,500 moths of 150 species. The cosy garden, tucked away in a greenhouse, is home to butterflies from Africa, the Americas and Australia. They all differ in the shape of their wings, and the pattern on them, and the pattern is not the same on the upper and lower sides of their wings. For example, the Charaxes castor butterfly has two yellow stripes on its black wings, as if the sun's rays have broken through the foliage. And the pattern on the underside of its wings resembles zebra stripes, which suggests that the butterfly lives in Africa. But Kallima paralekta, which has folded its wings, looks like a dry leaf.
A unique feature of Butterfly Park Benalmadena is the nocturnal moths. Surprisingly, there are no unsightly moths to be found here. Attacus atlas is a stunning butterfly and one of the largest in the world, with a wingspan of up to 25 cm. And the wings of moths Actias luna and Argema mittrei can be compared only with the finest expensive cloth. And how do moths emerge? This can be seen in the moth's maternity ward. Cocoons of butterflies hang in a quiet corner of the garden from which several winged beauties emerge daily. Various caterpillars can also be seen in the park, but not everyone will find them cute.
If anything can rival the beauty of butterflies, it is the park's flowers. But orchids, hibiscus, bromeliads and other plants are not just there for visitors to admire. These flora are vital to insects — caterpillars feed on their leaves, and butterflies drink their flower nectar. Watch the moths unfold their proboscis to eat and then unfold it again.
In the hot and humid climate of the greenhouse, some other tropical dwellers have also taken root: chameleons, iguanas, turtles and little Derby kangaroos. There are koi in the pond. The singing of the amadina brightens up the atmosphere.
