"Butterflies of El Salvador"

For years, Pacific Science Center has worked with a wonderful butterfly farm, Bioproductores de El Salvador. Through their e-mails and phone calls, we have caught intriguing glimpses into the challenges faced by a butterfly farmer working to do more –to create a wildlife refuge in the midst of habitats that have been heavily damaged by other human uses..



Dr. Serrano’s brief, evocative descriptions of daily life, or of the upsets of hurricanes, volcanoes, droughts and weather anomalies have always left us wanting to know more about his farm and what it takes to run it. The great news is, at last he has created a web site to tell more. Go to http://www.butterfliesofelsalvador.com/

If you enjoy Pacific Science Center’s Tropical Butterfly House, you really must take a look. So much goes into the export of the lovely insects we display. And some of our favorite butterflies are described in great detail, with notes on their behavior that can help us plan our exhibit better.

Congratulations, Francisco Serrano, on creating this wonderful new resource.


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New Year's Message

Francisco and Carolina Serrano are Pacific Science Center tropical butterfly vendors at Bioproductores de El Salvador. The Life Sciences Department always looks forward to receiving emails from them. They remind us of our connections with others, and that butterfly farming brings us closer to the efforts of so many who care about preserving wild habitats and small economies.


Dear Friends and Colleagues:

No doubt 2009 has been a challenging year, and we can expect more challenges and adventures in 2010. However, for all the hardships and tight moments, we should also well expect that such circumstances will lead to many improvements and opportunities that in fact might not even have appeared were it not for such developments.

When we think about how much we have gained, not simply from having to focus attention and action much better and more carefully, but also from much good advice, warm support or even "simply" shared thoughts, we sense the need of even greater care to make sure that we do not waste, but rather integrate and hopefully grow with, these inputs and recommendations from so many good hearts and heads. Many have stressed how fortunate and encouraging it is to be in "the butterfly business", with its way of life, that brings together so much idealism and good feelings, as well as growth and even relief on many occasions.

But again, these are very challenging moments in which we will most likely benefit considerably from our sharing of thought and guidance. From this small but ever striving country of El Salvador, we wish you all the many achievements and satisfactions that you all so much deserve in both your professional and personal aspirations.

Francisco & Carolina Serrano
BP / ES, December 29th, 2009

The above photo is of a Morpho polyphemus. As we only get them from El Salvador, you would know that it was raised by Francisco’s folks if you saw one in the Tropical Butterfly House. This butterfly is ghostly or angelic, like the spirit of the new year. Happy New Year to all!

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