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Little Miss Muffet may have been afraid, but you won’t be as you learn about spiders and other arachnids such as scorpions, camel spiders, daddy longlegs, and ticks. Review the evolutionary history of arachnids, the natural history and biology of the different groups, and the medical and economic importance of these animals. Live guests may drop by for an eight-legged howdy do!

Biography: Paula Cushing received her Ph.D. in 1995 from the University of Florida. In 1998, she began her position as Curator at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Her research focuses on the biodiversity, taxonomy, systematics, and evolutionary ecology of arachnids, particularly spiders and wind scorpions, or solifuges. She has published numerous scientific articles as well as popular articles about spiders and insects. She is also very active with the American Arachnological Society and the International Society of Arachnology and has served as President of both these scientific societies.

Syllabus:

Tuesday, October 1st

Introduction to Subphylum Chelicerata, Class Arachnida

· Pycnogonida and Xiphosura

· Palpigradi – micro-whip scorpions

· Opiliones – daddy longlegs or harvestmen

· Acarina – mites and ticks (begin, live guests)

Thursday, October 3rd

· Acarina – continued; microscope exercise

· Ricinulei – hooded tick-spiders

· Pseudoscorpiones -- pseudoscorpions

· Solifugae – camel spiders or wind scorpions

Tuesday, October 8th

· Solifugae – continued (sex video!)

· Scorpiones– scorpions (live guests)

· Schizomida – short-tailed whip-scorpions

Thursday, October 10th

· Amblypygi – tailless whip scorpions (live guest)

· Thelyphonida – vinegaroon or whip scorpion (live guest)

· Araneae – spiders (just a taste and live guests (but not a taste of live guests!)

Experience a rejuvenating yoga class in our tropical rainforest. Led by one of our rotating instructors, classes provide an amazing opportunity to transcend the hustle and bustle of daily life as you practice amongst the butterflies in our conservatory.

Due to this program being in high demand no refunds or date change requests can be made for this program. All tickets are final purchase.

Get your tickets online & save! Admission at the door is $1 more than online.

Tickets only valid for the date selected.

Front Doors lock at 4:15 p.m.

Tickets must be reserved for children under 2.

Please see Visitor Information or FAQ page for more information.

Looking for the best time to visit Butterfly Pavilion? View our live occupancy tracker!

No yard? No Problem! Anyone can create and indulge in a beautiful garden space, and any outdoor space can serve pollinators! Meet some small-space plant powerhouses, talk structure and resources in containers, and get inspired to make big change in little areas.

Embark on a meaningful journey with Butterfly Pavilion, Boulder Open Spaces, and the Denver Zoo as we unite for a special volunteer event. Join us in preserving the rich biodiversity of Colorado's landscape by removing invasive plant species like Tamerisk and Diffuse Knapweed, which threaten the vital habitats of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and beetles. Alongside our efforts, take a moment to reflect and connect with nature as you write heartfelt letters, embedding them into seed paper to nurture and grow at home. Throughout the day, experts from the Denver Zoo and Butterfly Pavilion will provide insights into the critical role of pollinators in our ecosystems. It's a day of conservation, education, and hands-on action—join us and make a real difference.

Date: May 18th 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Details:

This event will be entirely outside, please dress appropriately for the weather and work.

Please bring water and snacks although some will be available on-site.

This event is appropriate for ages 10+ with an adult in attendance.

Butterfly Pavilion membership is your all-access pass to discovery! Individual membership includes:

• Unlimited admission and benefits for one adult
• Two one-time use guest passes
• $2 off guest admission

Butterfly Pavilion membership is your all-access pass to discovery! Just for Two membership includes:

• Unlimited admission and benefits for one adult and one guest
• Two one-time use guest passes
• $2 off guest admission

Butterfly Pavilion membership is your all-access pass to discovery! Family membership includes:

• Unlimited admission and benefits for two adults and four children (add a caregiver for $15)
• Three one-time use guest passes
• $2 off guest admission

Butterfly Pavilion membership is your all-access pass to discovery! Friends and Family membership includes:

• Unlimited admission and benefits for two adults and six children plus two guests
• Three one-time use guest passes
• 50% off guest admission

Butterfly Pavilion membership helps support our research, conservation and education efforts.

Pollinator Protector membership includes:

• Unlimited admission and benefits for four adults and six children plus two guests
• Four one-time use guest passes
• 50% off guest admission

Two favorite cultural attractions have teamed up to offer you two great membership packages at one low price!

Combo membership includes:

• Unlimited admission and benefits for two named adults and six named children (add an unnamed adult for $36)
• Two one-time use guest passes
• $2 off guest admission

Gift the gift of science learning, invertebrate exploration and year-round entertainment that will engage and inspire!

Individual membership includes:

• Unlimited admission and benefits for one adult
• Two one-time use guest passes
• $2 off general admission for additional guests each visit

About gift memberships: Fill out the online membership form with your recipient's information. Gift memberships are processed within 1 to 5 business days. Recipients do not receive an email confirmation. Gift memberships are sent via First Class mail to the address specified on the form. We do not guarantee delivery or arrival by a specific date. Gift memberships are activated in our system at the date of purchase and expire at the end of the month one year from the date of purchase.

Gift the gift of science learning, invertebrate exploration and year-round entertainment that will engage and inspire!

Just for Two membership includes:

• Unlimited admission and benefits for one adult and one guest
• Two one-time use guest passes
• $2 off general admission for additional guests each visit

About gift memberships: Fill out the online membership form with your recipient's information. Gift memberships are processed within 1 to 5 business days. Recipients do not receive an email confirmation. Gift memberships are sent via First Class mail to the address specified on the form. We do not guarantee delivery or arrival by a specific date. Gift memberships are activated in our system at the date of purchase and expire at the end of the month one year from the date of purchase.

Gift the gift of science learning, invertebrate exploration and year-round entertainment that will engage and inspire!

Family membership includes:

• Unlimited admission and benefits for two adults and four children
• Three one-time use guest passes

• $2 off general admission for additional guests each visit

About gift memberships: Fill out the online membership form with your recipient's information. Gift memberships are processed within 1 to 5 business days. Recipients do not receive an email confirmation. Gift memberships are sent via First Class mail to the address specified on the form. We do not guarantee delivery or arrival by a specific date. Gift memberships are activated in our system at the date of purchase and expire at the end of the month one year from the date of purchase.

Gift the gift of science learning, invertebrate exploration and year-round entertainment that will engage and inspire!

Family Plus membership includes:

• Unlimited admission and benefits for two adults and six children plus two guests
• Three one-time use guest passes
• 50% off general admission for additional guests each visit

About gift memberships: Fill out the online membership form with your recipient's information. Gift memberships are processed within 1 to 5 business days. Recipients do not receive an email confirmation. Gift memberships are sent via First Class mail to the address specified on the form. We do not guarantee delivery or arrival by a specific date. Gift memberships are activated in our system at the date of purchase and expire at the end of the month one year from the date of purchase.

Gift the gift of membership to help support our research, conservation and education efforts.

Pollinator Protector membership includes:

• Unlimited admission and benefits for four adults and six children plus two guests
• Four one-time use guest passes
• 50% off general admission for additional guests each visit

About gift memberships: Fill out the online membership form with your recipient's information. Gift memberships are processed within 1 - 5 business days. Recipients do not receive an email confirmation. Gift memberships are sent via First Class mail to the address specified on the form. We do not guarantee delivery or arrival by a specific date.

Two favorite cultural attractions have teamed up to offer you two great membership packages at one low price!

Combo membership includes:

• Unlimited admission and benefits for two named adults and six named children in the same household
• Two one-time use guest passes
• $2 off general admission for additional guests each visit

About gift memberships: Fill out the online membership form with your recipient's information. Gift memberships are processed within 1 to 5 business days. Recipients do not receive an email confirmation. Gift memberships are sent via First Class mail to the address specified on the form. We do not guarantee delivery or arrival by a specific date. Gift memberships are activated in our system at the date of purchase and expire at the end of the month one year from the date of purchase.

Metamorphosis Memberships at the Butterfly level ($2,500) are for compassionate philanthropists who want to deepen their impact in Colorado and around the world. You'll also enjoy numerous benefits, including:

Metamorphosis Memberships at the Chrysalis level ($1,000) are for compassionate philanthropists who want to deepen their impact in Colorado and around the world. You'll also enjoy numerous benefits, including:

Metamorphosis Memberships at the Caterpillar level ($500) are for compassionate philanthropists who want to deepen their impact in Colorado and around the world. You'll also enjoy numerous benefits, including: