Inland on the Greek island of Rhodes, one can find one of the single most unique attractions in the world: The Valley of the Butterflies (in Greek “Petaloúdes”). It is a magical 600-acre nature park with walking trails & benches, that offers a summer home for many, many butterflies. Beautiful and a perfect place for families, groups of friends, couples and solo travellers alike, it is a wonderful place to wander and stretch your legs. Just find a vacation rental in Rhodes and come explore this extraordinarily lovely natural gem.
The Valley of the Butterflies is the only natural forest of Liquidambar orientalis (Oriental Sweetgum trees) in Europe and is a resting point for the Jersey Tiger (Panaxia Quadripunctaria), a nocturnal moth. It is a shaded, green valley with cut up by a small river and sprinkled with beautiful waterfalls. If you look carefully, you'll realise that you are permanently surrounded by butterflies camouflaging themselves against the tree trunks.
Each year, at the end of the wet season (late May), thousands of butterflies attracted by the scent of the Oriental Sweetgum trees cover the entire landscape during the final stage of their life cycle. The moths cannot eat during this final phase of their life cycle and so they rest to conserve energy. Loud noises will make them fly away so observe them quietly as they “sleep” camouflaged against the trees. They are black and yellow when their wings are closed and cherry-red when moving. If you are still enough, they may even come to rest on you (it is also actually prohibited to purposefully scare or move them)! During August, meanwhile, thousands of butterflies swarm into the valley in order to reproduce, though it takes until the next May for them to reach maturity and their loveliest state.
A very special sight, this is one of nature's most magical gifts and is a must-see if you are visiting this area in Greece.
Each year, at the end of the wet season (late May), thousands of butterflies attracted by the scent of the Oriental Sweetgum trees cover the entire landscape during the final stage of their life cycle. The moths cannot eat during this final phase of their life cycle and so they rest to conserve energy. Loud noises will make them fly away so observe them quietly as they “sleep” camouflaged against the trees. They are black and yellow when their wings are closed and cherry-red when moving. If you are still enough, they may even come to rest on you (it is also actually prohibited to purposefully scare or move them)! During August, meanwhile, thousands of butterflies swarm into the valley in order to reproduce, though it takes until the next May for them to reach maturity and their loveliest state.
A very special sight, this is one of nature's most magical gifts and is a must-see if you are visiting this area in Greece.
Photo credit: wiseguy71 / CC BY-SA 2.0
