The Butterfly Research Centre is located on a hillock near the Bhimtal lake and houses the fourth largest butterfly and moth reference collection in India. The collection is housed in a 150-year-old colonial bungalow in the Jones Estate. Of the approximately 1,300 species of butterflies to be found in India (mostly concentrated in the northeastern states), Bhimtal has around 240 species.It is clear that Bhimtal is a butter lover’s paradise.
The museum has some unbelievably beautiful collection of butterflies, moths, beetles, spiders and other insects. Particularly awe-inspiring are his small but breathtaking collection of butterflies from other continents, while the local specimens include a whole range of oak butterflies that have wings perfectly mimicking oak leaves, helping to camouflage themselves. Then there are the rare specimens like owl butterfly, peacock butterfly and snake butterfly. Perhaps a modest museum with a collection of preserved moths & butterflies, plus frequent educational courses.