Fresh Sheet – April 9, 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.


Philippines

40 - Danaus chrysippus (Plain Tiger)
40 - Cethosia biblis (Red Lacewing)
40 - Hypolimnas bolina (Great Eggfly)
20 - Papilio polytes (Polite Swallowtail)
40 - Graphium agamemnon (Tailed Jay)
70 - Parthenos sylvia philppensis (The Clipper)
20 - Pachliopta kotzeboea (Pink Rose)
100 - Idea leuconoe (Paper Kite)
20 - Doleschalia bisaltide (Autumn Leaf)
40 - Papilio rumanzovia (Crimson Swallowtail)
100 - Papilio lowii (Sunset Swallowtail)
30 - Papilio palinurus (Banded Peacock)


Total = 560

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Butterfly Census

Ever wonder how many butterflies made their home in the Tropical Butterfly House last year? Or how many pupae the Life Sciences Department placed in the emerging window? Can you guess how many different butterfly species we received in 2009?

Every year Life Sciences Manager Sarah Moore is required to provide the USDA with a document summarizing our data on pupae shipments. This information is carefully gathered by the staff each week as pupae are carefully inspected before placing them in the Emerging Window.


The 2009 census highlights are listed below:

Shipments received – 72
Different species received – 132
Pupae received – 24,578
Healthy butterflies released – 20,537
Parasitized pupae – 32
Percentage good emergence – 84%

Sarah credits her staff for the outstanding emergence statistics. “Eighty-four percent of pupae emerged as healthy butterflies, which is impressive considering that some shipments were delayed or arrived with problems. Staff really maximized the chances for every pupa to succeed. Their meticulous record keeping allows me to turn in data that I can be very confident is correct and thorough.”

So - Guess which species of butterfly is the most abundant in the Tropical Butterfly House? Frequent guests will easily recognize our beloved mascot, the Blue Morpho (Morpho peleides). We received 2,095 in 2009!

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Blooming News

Spring has definitely come to Pacific Science Center, with a little help from our horticulture team, Jeff Leonard and Maida Ingalls.



Jeff and Maida just finished replanting the large planter bowls in the courtyard around the ponds. Previously, the bowls were full to overflowing with ornamental grasses and perennial flowers. They looked nice, but they needed constant watering and the plants and flowers were gradually crowding themselves out, blooming less as their roots competed for limited space.

The new plants will put on quite a show. Jeff and Maida were aiming for year-round appeal, and made sure each planter had at least a few evergreen plants to anchor the display during the winter months. Then they started adding flowers. They made their choices with pollinators in mind. Honey bees, bumble bees and local butterflies will love the wide selection of colors and bloom types, and the long flowering season will keep them coming back from early spring until the hard freezes of autumn. Some of the flowers to look for are Sedum, Echinacea, Delphinium, Scabiosa, Lithodora, and Rudbeckia.


Our courtyard is also home to a hummingbird, who will no doubt enjoy the Delphinium, Salvia, and Stock.


So next time you come for a visit, take a moment to step away from the exhibits and enjoy the plantings. The courtyard is full of color, texture and scent. If you come in the next few days, you will enjoy the added bonus of viewing our crab apple trees in full bloom.

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Fresh Sheet – April 2, 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.


El Salvador

08 - Anteos maerula (Ghost sulfur)
30 - Battus belus (Belus Swallowtail)
40 - Caligo memnon (Owl Butterfly)
15 - Catonephele numilia (Numilia)
12 - Doxocopa laure (Silver Emperor)
30 - Heliconius hecale (Tiger Longwing)
80 - Morpho peleides (Blue Morpho)
40 - Morpho polyphemus (White Morpho)
40 - Myscelia ethusa (Royal Blue Butterfly)
10 - Papilio thoas (Thoas Swallowtail)
10 -Parides photinus (Queen of Hearts)
30 - Prepona omphale (Blue Belly-Button)

Total = 345

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