The Place for Butterfly Watching - Rio Grande Valley butterflies

Butterflies can be found all over the world and in all types of climates. They exist in hot and cold areas, dry and moist climates and even at sea level and high in mountain areas of the world. Many butterflies migrate in order to avoid adverse environmental conditions during certain seasons, especially winter. The Rio Grande Valley is situated in a unique passing zone with a favorable tropical climate that allows a variety of butterfly species to be found in South Texas.

Butterfly watching is a popular year-round activity in South Texas since the area has 300 of North America's 500 butterfly species. The Rio Grande Valley is also well-known for spotting other insects such as the 120 dragonfly (odonate) species.

Texas Butterfly Gardens for Butterfly Watching

Edinburg Wetlands World Birding Center
Edinburg, Texas
956-381-9922
www.worldbirdingcenter.org/sites/edinburg/index.phtml

This South Texas center is a great spot for birding - as it has an aquatic and brush habitat that attracts resident Texas birds and migrants. There is also six acres of plentiful butterfly habitat perfect for butterfly watching.

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
Rio Hondo, Texas
956-748-3607
www.fws.gov/southwest/REFUGES/texas/laguna.html

This wildlife refuge offers nature enthusiast a variety of outdoor events and sights to see through numerous hiking and nature trails. The refuge has plentiful plant life and water ways that attract numerous butterflies to the area. Butterfly watchers are sure to see plenty of fluttering.

NABA Butterfly Park
Mission, Texas
956-583-9009
www.naba.org/nababp/Index.html

This butterfly park located in Mission offers butterfly watchers the chance to see some of the most beautiful Texas butterflies and migratory butterflies in South Texas. The park is dedicated to the education, conservation, and scientific research on wild butterflies and is a premier spot for Rio Grande Valley butterfly watching.

More butterfly watching parks and gardens in the Rio Grande Valley.

Sources of Native Plants for the Rio Grande Valley

Heep's Nursery
(Mike Heep)
1714 S. Palm Court Drive
Harlingen, TX 78552
(956) 423-4513 * By appt. only

NABA Butterfly Park
(Mike Heep)
Old Military Hwy & Butterfly Park Drive
Mission, TX 78552
(956) 583-9009

Perez Ranch Nursery
(Susan Thompson & Betty Perez)
12 miles north of La Joya, TX
(956) 580-8915
PerezRanchNatives@gmail.com

Rancho Lomitas Nursery
(Benito Trevino)
P.O. Box 442
Rio Grande City, TX 78582
(956) 486-2576 *By appt. only

Valley Garden Center
701 E. Bus. Hwy. 83
McAllen, TX 78501
(956) 682-9411

Valley Nature Center
301 S. Border Ave.
Weslaco, TX 78596
(956) 969-2475
info@valleynaturecenter.org
www.valleynaturecenter.org

Landscapers using Natives

Heep’s Nursery
(Mike Heep)
1714 S. Palm Court Drive
Harlingen, TX 78552
(956) 423-4513 * By appt. only

Mother Nature's Creations
(Billy & Sue Snider)
2822 Nueces
Harlingen, TX 78550
(956) 428-4897

Williams Wildscapes, Inc.
(Allen Williams)
750 W Sam Houston
Pharr, TX 78577
(956) 460-9864
www.williamswildscapes.com