An estimated 150 kids and their adult companions know more about butterflies, thanks to the Triad chapter of the Carolina Butterfly Society. The new Triad chapter presented an excellent educational display with live butterflies at the Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 14, in Price Park, Greensboro, NC.
The Carolina Butterfly Society table included two terrariums contributed by Charlie Cameron. One container housed eggs of Pipevine Swallowtail and Monarch, and live caterpillars of Pipevine Swallowtail and Black Swallowtail, all on their host plants, complete with identification cards. The second terrarium featured live chrysalises. Both a Pipevine Swallowtail and a Black Swallowtail thrilled the children and adults alike by emerging, drying their wings, and fluttering around during the four-hour period of the celebration. People were gathered around watching the event for a couple of hours.
Another popular part of the educational exhibit allowed the kids to do a little science. Jim Nottke brought specimens of the wings of several different species of butterflies. Children were able to handle the plastic bags containing the wings. Jim set up his binocular microscope so that people could examine the scales and wing structure of Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Monarch butterflies. The microscope was in nearly continuous use.
Lynn and Dennis Burnette set out several varieties of live host plants for the Black Swallowtail butterfly, as well as a well-preserved specimen of a complete Eastern Tiger Swallowtail in a glass case that was contributed by a friend. They also brought CBS membership materials to hand out.
Six members contributed their time as “outdoor educators” to interpret and explain the display materials and life cycle of butterflies. Don Alleman, Dennis Burnette, Lynn Burnette, Barbara Hughes, Jim Nottke, and Wendy Shaitberger managed the almost continuous crowd of kids and parents throughout most of the afternoon. By all measures, this was an excellent educational event for the Triad chapter of CBS.
Photos: See captions below each picture for details!
Lynn Burnette directs someone to the microscope as Jim Nottke (green
hat) and Don Alleman (far left with glasses) educate participants.
Students examine butterfly eggs and caterpillars on the host plants.
Pipevine Swallowtail and Black Swallowtail emerge during the Earth Day
celebration.
A child has her first view of the scales on a butterfly wing.
Kids were eager to climb up the box to reach the microscope.
Don Alleman (left), Lynn Burnette, and Barbara Hughes prepare to
educate the next group of kids.
A young scientist emerges.