Monarchs fill the sky in a scene from “Flight of the Butterflies” showing at the Rangos Omnimax Theater in the Carnegie Science Center.

PITTSBURGH — “Flight of the Butterflies” is showing at the Rangos Omnimax Theater at the Carnegie Science Center.

The giant screen adventure from SK Films is based on the true story of monarch butterflies and their trip to the Mexican haven where hundreds of millions of them make their winter homes.

The film looks at the epic journey of the monarchs and the determined scientist, Fred Urquhart, who spent 40 years trying to discover the mysteries surrounding their journey.

As the film illustrates, it takes two to three generations of butterflies to migrate north from Mexico through the U.S. to Canada and one “super generation” to complete the migration back south to Mexico.Moviegoers can experience this journey up close and see the evolution from egg to caterpillar to pupa to butterfly.In 2008, UNESCO declared the monarch reserve in Mexico a World Heritage Site. Monarchs depend on milkweed and milkweed habitats for survival.Despite efforts by the Mexican government to protect the sanctuaries, enforcement is difficult in remote regions and several forces persist in threatening the survival of the migration, including degradations of forest habitats, the side effects of industrial farming and climate change.<BR></Br><BR></Br>

Significant portions of the film's box office revenue will go towards Monarch butterfly conservation through Mexico's conservation organization, Fondo Mexicano para la Conservación de la Naturaleza.The film is rated G for general audiences and has a run time of 44 minutes.Tickets for most shows are $8 for adults and $6 for senior citizens and children. Omnimax is not recommended for children younger than 3. Call 412-237-3400 for show times.

A macro photograph of a monarch butterfly wing shows minute details. The film ?Flight of the Butterflies? is showing at the Rangos Omnimax Theater in the Carnegie Science Center.

A single monarch rests on milkweed, a plant it needs to survive. The butterfly exclusively lays its eggs on milkweed, the caterpillars immediately eat its leaves to fatten up quickly, and adults drink its nectar, along with nectar of other plants.