Life of Butterfly
An
on-site laboratory is a breeding ground for the countless fluttering species.
It offers an interesting perspective into the stages of development of
the most colorful species in Costa Rica. With
over 4,000 of the flighty creatures in the observatory at any one time,
guests will be delighted by a possible butterfly kiss, or two.
Since Waterfall Gardens is located in
the Rainforest, we have made adjustments to our observatory by adding
a covered viewing area near the laboratory. This addition allows our guests
to see the butterflies no matter what Mother Nature has in mind for the
weather. Our laboratory allows guests to see the butterflies up close
as they emerge from their cocoons or in other stages of their growth.
As you might know, butterflies are tuned into the inclement weather, rain
clouds or not, they will head for cover at the slightest hint of rain.
Guests
of the Peace Lodge will be offered a special opportunity: the chance to
work in the Butterfly Observatory by collecting eggs, caterpillars and
host plants. Internships are also available for students in Costa Rica
and abroad.
Diversity
In Costa Rica there exists a great diversity of tropical
habitats; this diversity is reflected in the great variety and abundance
of butterflies. Approximately 90% of the butterfly species in Central
America exist in Costa Rica, nearly 66% of neo-tropical butterflies and
about 18% of all butterfly species of the world.
The
Life Cycle of the Butterfly
Egg
The female butterfly deposits its eggs on the host plant. The egg is the
first cycle of life and is also the most vulnerable period, largely due
to their major predator, the parasitic wasp. |
|
| |
|
Larva
From the egg is born a caterpillar which eats only vegetable matter, digests,
and grows over a period of 10-60 days. During this time they shed their
skin (molt) four to six times. |
|
| |
|
Pupa
or Chrysalis
When fully grown, the caterpillar hangs itself from a branch or leaf of
a host plant and undergoes its final molt. The least amount of information
is known about this stage. When fully developed, the chrysalis changes color
and splits within one to two days into the adult. |
|
| |
|
Adult Butterfly or Imago
Butterflies are insects that have four wings, two compound eyes of various
parts and six legs. The butterfly uses its antenna to touch and smell;
they drink nectar from flowers with their mouth in the form of a tube,
called a proboscis. When they are not eating, this tube is rolled into
a spiral. Most butterflies live approximately 3 weeks and they move their
wings at a velocity between 460 and 630 beats per minute. |
|
Survival
In
nature, on average only 5% of butterfly eggs reach adulthood and the remaining
95% are lost to predation or other natural causes. In our butterfly program,
we are able to provide a safer environment and over 55% of the eggs are
able to reach adulthood. In this way, we can maintain a stable population
of butterflies in our observatory.
|
