Costa Rica Entomological Supply

Ever wonder who are the people responsible for producing some of the pupae you see in the Tropical Butterfly House emerging window?

Here is a photo of the staff at Costa Rica Entomological Supply which they sent to us recently.

We always enjoy the connection with people throughout the world who share our interest in butterflies and their habitats. For more information about CRES, their history, their seminars and educational resources go to: http://www.butterflyfarm.co.cr/costa-rica-entomological-supply/index.html

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Mystery Solved!

The secret of Room 401 at Pacific Science Center can now be revealed! Growing inside the light emitting casket were food plants; yes, hydroponically cultivated plants for our new exhibit “Facing Mars”, which opens today, January 30.






Answering the questions, “What would you eat on a three year voyage to Mars”, the hydroponic garden is growing soybeans, peppers, tomatoes and peas. Life Sciences’ horticulturists are nuturing the vegetables in a special liquid nutrient, while giving the sprouts the required amount of light to thrive on a space journey without seasons. Could you live on hydroponically grown food?

The hydroponic garden is only one of 28 thought-provoking displays in the “Facing Mars” exhibit. Come explore “Facing Mars.” Let this exhibit trigger your imagination and watch our garden grow!

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Fresh Sheet - January 29, 2010

“Fresh Sheet” is our weekly shipment report of pupae on display in the emerging window. Visit Pacific Science Center’s Tropical Butterfly House and meet our newest residents.


Costa Rica

24 - Archeoprepona demophon (One-spotted Prepona)
19 - Caligo eurilochus (Forest Giant Owl)
15 - Catonephele numilia (Numilia)
10 - Chlosyne janais (Crimson Patch)
25 - Colobura dirce (Mosaic butterfly)
10 - Consul fabius (Tiger Leafwing)
36 - Danaus plexippus (The Monarch)
25 - Dryas iulia (Julia Longwing)
27 - Eueudes isabella (Isabella’s Longwing)
25 - Greta oto (Glasswing)
20 - Heliconius charitonius(Zebra Longwing)
02 - Heliconius cydno (Cydno Longwing)
25 - Heliconius doris (Doris Longwing)
54 - Heliconius hecale(Tiger Longwing)
63 - Heliconius ismenius(Ismenius Longwing)
25 - Heliconius melpomene(Postman)
03 - Heliconius sapho(Sapho Longwing)
10 - Heliconius sara(Sara Longwing)
15 - Heraclides anchisiades (Ruby-spotted Swallowtail)
22 - Heraclides thoas (Giant Swallowtail)
27 - Hypna clytemnestra(Silver-studded Leafwing)
25 - Mechanitis polymnia(Polymnia Tigerwing)
50 - Morpho peleides(Blue Morpho)
25 - Nessaea aglaura(Aglaura Olivewing)
10 - Papilio cresphontes (Giant Swallowtail)
20 - Papilio polyxenes (Black Swallowtail)
10 - Phoebis philea (Orange Barred Sulfur)
13 - Siproeta stelenes(Malachite)
20 - Tithorea tarricina(Cream-Spotted Clearwing)

Total = 655

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Time to Clean Up

Visitors to Pacific Science Center may notice that there are fewer chambers in our naked mole-rat exhibit then there normally are. We are in the process of an extensive and systematic cleaning process that will last for 18-20 days


Our colony undergoes a “super-clean” about two times a year. Their chambers are cleaned and thoroughly disinfected every day for a three week period.

The purpose of this cleaning process is to remove and kill any harmful bacteria or viruses that can exist and build up in the colony. The naked mole-rats are a bit more crowded at this time, and it means they are less visible to our guests. But in the end, it will lead to better health for all of the members of our mole-rat colony.

Thanks for your patience!

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