The Lower Rio Grande Valley: Mecca for Butterflies

If you are looking a multitude of butterflies you should start your quest in extreme South Texas region. The Lower Rio Grande Valley is home to more than 300 species of butterflies. The 4300 acre region has an abundance of flowering plants, shrubs and trees that attract and sustain butterflies not only as a food source but also as a home and nesting site. With so many natural food sources the butterflies choose to remain in the area rather than to fly out to see other sources.
The Lower Rio Grande Valley offers more than a dozen of specialized gardens where one can view the various species of butterflies. Here is a sampling of locations that feature great viewing opportunities:

Old Hidalgo Pump house: Located at 902 S. Second Street, Hidalgo, Tx. The Old Hidalgo Pump house is a restored pumping station originally built in 1909 and it showcases steam driven irrigation pumps that remain along the Rio Grande. It is one of the nine sites that make up the World Birding Center. There have been 162 species of butterflies’ documented at this location alone.

Estero Llano Grande State Park: Located at 154A Lakeview Drive off FM105in Weslaco, Tx. This 200 acre park is home to shallow lakes, ponds, woodlands and thorn forests. It has a diverse habitat for butterflies that are plentiful year round and more than 150 species are regularly seen at this park.

Falcon State Park: Located 15 miles north Roma on the shores of the Falcon Reservoir. This park has a one acre butterfly specific garden. It has walking trails and interpretive signs and is home to more than 150 species.

National Butterfly Center: Located 4 miles southwest of downtown Mission, off Old Military Highway. This facility which is owned by the National Butterfly Association is the largest and most productive site in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. It has more than 30 acres of butterfly gardens and hackberry forests. On any given day visitors can view thousands of butterflies and over 200 species have been documented. They offer an annual butterfly festival held each year in late October.