Tropical Butterflies Arrive At Oregon Zoo's Winged Wonders Exhibit

PORTLAND, Oregon - What do a shoemaker, a postman, and a passionflower all have in common? They're just three of the many Central and South American butterfly species that the Oregon Zoo has recently added to the Winged Wonders exhibit. The exhibit now houses nearly 250 butterflies of 20 new tropical species in addition to the native North American species already in the butterfly aviary.

The zoo has added three tropical species not previously displayed: the common olivewing (Nessaea aglaura), the Costa Rica clearwing (Greta oto), and the false malachite (Philaethria dido). The common olivewing, also called an Aglaura olivewing, has velvety black coloring with large blue stripes on the wing's upper surface. They range from southern Mexico to Colombia. The Costa Rica clearwing, also called a glasswing, has mostly translucent wings with unique black veining and ranges from Mexico to Panama. The false malachite, which has large patches of translucent green on its wings, ranges from Mexico to the Amazon Basin.

"We get to watch these beautiful creatures eclose from the pupal stage to become butterflies everyday, and it still amazes me," said Butterfly Keeper Mary Jo Andersen. "I feel lucky to witness something day after day that few people get to see in nature."

Visitors to the Winged Wonders exhibit can meander along the garden path at their leisure, passing bee balm, black-eyed Susans, red valerian, purple coneflower, and gayfeather-all of which are plants that attract butterflies. Benches along the path provide visitors a spot where they can sit and watch the butterflies land atop various golden, lavender, and orange blooms. Butterflies sometimes land on visitors, too!

"Visitors can create their own butterfly gardens at home," said Linda Coady Richardson, the zoo's horticultural supervisor. She noted that herbs such as fennel and dill can attract the caterpillars of species such as black swallowtail and anise swallowtail. Nectar plants like asters, zinnia, and yarrow will attract adult butterflies. "Don't forget that butterflies also need sunlight, water, and shelter-and no pesticides," she added.

Before leaving the butterfly aviary, visitors can view a display where dozens of pupae, varied in size and color according to species, continue to develop and grow. Butterflies that emerge from these pupae are released into the aviary. Visitors can also learn more about the butterflies at the exhibit's interpretive center, where hands-on activities show how a butterfly uses its senses of sight, smell and taste.

A display on the zoo's field conservation projects with endangered Oregon silverspot and Taylor's checkerspot butterflies is also featured. It describes how the zoo rears endangered butterflies and explains the life cycle of wild butterflies.

"We were very pleased to bring the tropical species back to the Winged Wonders exhibit again this year," said Zoo Director Tony Vecchio. "We're glad to be able to spotlight a small, often overlooked animal that's such a vital component to many ecosystems."

With the recent addition of the South and Central American butterfly species, the garden now features more than 20 species of butterflies from the Western Hemisphere. The exhibit is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and runs through Labor Day. Admission is $2. By reservation only.

Butterfly photography classes are being offered throughout the summer. More information about these classes can be found at http://www.oregonzoo.org/Education/adults/adults_photography.htm

Private parties are also being offered at the Tea Garden at Winged Wonders. Contact Oregon Zoo catering at 503-220-2789 for information.

The photography classes and the Tea Garden Parties are by registration or reservation only. Zoo helps save rare butterflies and more

The Oregon Zoo and the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) have joined 34 zoos and aquariums from around the country to form the Butterfly Conservation Initiative. The Initiative is designed to bring together government and non-government agencies to aid in the recovery of imperiled North American butterflies. The Oregon Zoo and AZA are committed to butterfly conservation. A portion of the proceeds from the Oregon Zoo's butterfly exhibit helps support the zoo's butterfly education and conservation efforts.