In the Lab: Spring 2015

One of the things that makes the butterfly garden and Flight Encounter exhibit at MOSI Outside so special is the fact that we raise hundreds of Florida native butterflies for guests to experience. The majority of butterfly exhibits purchase most, if not all, of their butterflies from growers around the world. MOSI Outside is dedicated to helping our guests understand the life cycle of butterflies from egg to adult, and their importance in our ecosystem. Our exhibit and outdoor gardens provide habitat for dozens of Florida butterfly species, and our Entomology Lab provides a place for us to raise caterpillars into the butterflies and moths we display in the Encounter.

The number of species we raise at any given time varies based on what's flying and reproducing naturally in Florida at that time. In the winter, we may raise only 2-3 species, like monarchs and zebra longwings. By spring, though, diversity really starts to pick up, and we look forward to bringing back some of our favorites. This spring, species regularly being reared in our lab include:

Chrysalides on display

• Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
• Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charithonia)
• Julia Longwing (Dryas iulia)
• Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae)
• Polydamas Swallowtail (Battus polydamus)
• Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
• Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus)
• Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)
• Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
• Orange-Barred Sulphur (Phoebis philea)
• Eastern Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)

Other species we may have from time to time include:

• Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
• White Peacock (Anartia jatrophae)
• Great Southern White (Ascia monuste)

We're also pleased to welcome back a new generation of Malachites (Siproeta stelenes), a southern Florida species we've had the chance to raise over the last several years. This gorgeous green and brown butterfly is very popular with visitors, and we love having the chance to raise them once again.

MOSI guests can check out our Entomology Lab through large viewing windows just outside the BioWorks Flight Encounter exhibit. Most weekdays, you'll see our staff in the lab working with the insects. The rearing tanks require daily maintenance to keep them clean and full of fresh food, so our caterpillars stay healthy and turn into beautiful butterflies.

Frass from the monarch tank

Working in the lab is a wet, messy job, involving a lot of caterpillar frass (poo) and plenty of sweaty trips out to the gardens to gather food for our hungry bugs. It's also a lot of fun, and we're always accepting volunteer applications for those who'd like to learn how to care for our beautiful insects. There are even intern opportunities available for high school and college students. See our Volunteer Page for more information.

Did we mention we're raising monarchs? A LOT of monarchs?