Butterfly Longevity Study

One of the most frequently asked questions we get about butterflies is: How long do they live? We usually generalize and reply that the average butterfly lives about two to three weeks. But sometimes, Animal Caretakers will note a butterfly with unique wing markings, or a butterfly of a species that hasn’t been released in over a month. Then we realize that this individual has far outlived that supposed range. What’s the real answer?

Over the coming months Life Sciences will be doing longevity studies with a few butterfly species in our exhibit. We will begin with Idea leuconoe, the Paper Kite. This butterfly is native to Southeast Asia, and is in the same family as the Monarch butterfly. We chose it because its markings are distinctive and because we have some evidence that it is an unusually long-lived butterfly. If our study works well, we will expand it to include other species later.

To study how long butterflies live, we need some way to recognize individual butterflies. We considered the tagging method used in Monarch migration studies but decided to go with a less invasive procedure. We tested paint markers that are easy to see, easy to apply, and won’t harm any of the butterflies’ wing parts. These photos show how minimally invasive the process is. Marking only adds three or four seconds to the normal release procedure of restraining the butterfly and best of all, does not appear to add any stress to the subject.

Each day we will mark all the butterflies of our chosen species with the same marking. Later, we will be able to compare the date they were released into the exhibit with the date they died and calculate their age. This information could lead to other questions about their care and longevity.

Drop by our Tropical Butterfly House and observe the newly marked test subjects and then stay tuned for the results from our study. It should be interesting.


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Trouble in a Pretty Package

In anticipation of the Pacific Science Center closing the next two weeks, the Tropical Butterfly House is without a pupae shipment, hence no “Fresh Sheet.” This break has Life Sciences manager, Sarah Moore reflecting on her pupae procurement responsibilities.


When I describe my job to people, a common question is whether I get to choose the butterflies we display Pacific Science Center’s Tropical Butterfly House. The answer is, yes and no. Butterfly rearing, like much sustainable farming, is seasonal, diversified and unpredictable. So although there are tried and true species we nearly always have, we end up getting a unique blend in each shipment. But once in a while, a species of butterfly will distinguish itself in some way, for good or bad, and will go on my short list of “must have” or “don’t send” species.


One example of a “must have” species is Prepona omphale, the blue belly button. It has extremely healthy pupae, powerful flight and not one but two shades of brilliant blue on its wings. In short, it’s a keeper.


A butterfly that has caused more deliberation than the blue belly button is the Idea leuconoe or paper kite butterfly. I almost took these butterflies off my wish list due to poor emergence numbers. Even with the best husbandry practices, we lose a disappointing 20% of the pupae before they emerge. But once emerged, the adult is a unique and gorgeous creature. Add to that its unusual, leisurely flight patterns and an exceptionally long lifespan, and you have a species that nothing else can replace. This butterfly is always welcome in our exhibit.

The harder choices can be identifying those species that are not compatible with our exhibit. Recently, I reviewed the patterns of butterflies that make it into our vestibules and occasionally beyond.


One species stood out as a problem. Colobura dirce, the zebra mosaic, is a personal favorite butterfly. I love its distinctive stripes, its habit of roosting head downward, and its crazy, zigzag flight patterns. What I don’t like is the possibility that one of these butterflies may eventually escape from our museum. Their small size, cryptic coloration and habit of making short flights with frequent rests means that it often lands on people, and is rarely noticed when it does.

The information on this species was compelling enough that I have asked our vendors to stop sending them. While I will miss these fascinating butterflies, I know there will be other favorites ahead. What are your favorite butterflies in our exhibit?

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