BUTTERFLY HOUSE
DOCENT MANUAL
Spring 2012
Sixth Edition
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I.
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................ 3
IA.
IB.
IC.
WHY HAVE A DOCENT MANUAL ...................................................................................................................... 3
ENC MISSION STATEMENT ............................................................................................................................... 3
ENC VOLUNTEER MISSION STATEMENT .......................................................................................................... 3
II.
CONTACT INFORMATION ............................................................................................................................ 3
III.
HISTORY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL NATURE CENTER. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
THE ENC’S NATIVE ORANGE COUNTY BUTTERFLY HOUSE ..............................ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
IV.
KEY POLICIES................................................................................................................................................. 6
V.
EMERGENCIES, INCIDENTS, AND ACCIDENTS...................................................................................... 7
VI.
REQUIREMENT FOR SERVICE................................................................................................................... 8
VII.
SUPPLIES......................................................................................................................................................... 8
VIII.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ....................................................................................................... 9
BUTTERFLIES OF THE ENC’S BUTTERFLY HOUSE .................................................................................... 14
VOLUNTEER ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT .................................................................................................... 19
2
I.
Introduction
Ia.
Why Have a Docent Manual
At the Environmental Nature Center, volunteers may be the only representatives that visitors encounter
in the butterfly house. Therefore, volunteers play a crucial role in giving visitors a positive impression
of the Environmental Nature Center. The purpose of this handbook is to provide volunteers with
information that will enhance their ability to effectively perform their duties.
Ib.
ENC Mission Statement
The mission of The Environmental Nature Center is to provide quality education through hands on
experience with Nature.
The ENC is a conservation area designed to develop, demonstrate and protect selected native plant
communities and to provide an educational resource and tranquil escape for members of our community.
We provide opportunities for increasing our community’s knowledge, understanding and appreciation of
the natural world of California.
Ic.
ENC Volunteer Mission Statement
The mission of the volunteers of the Environmental Nature Center is to actively promote a mutually
rewarding relationship between volunteers who offer their talents, skills and time and staff who will
support them in their efforts.
II.
Contact Information
The Environmental Nature Center (ENC)
Bo Glover, Executive Director
Lori Whalen, Director of Education
Mike Swingholm, Grounds Coordinator
Leslie Helliwell, Butterfly Wrangler
Phone
949-645-8489
949-645-8489 x 101
949-645-8489 x 103
949-645-8489 x 112
949-645-8489 x 102
E-mail
www.ENCenter.org
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
The ENC is located at 1601 16th Street, Newport Beach, CA 92612
3
III. History of the Environmental Nature Center
In 1972 the gully between Newport Harbor High School and the private property on Kings Drive was a
dumping area for the school district bus garage and a jungle of non-descript vegetation spilling over sloping
back yards. The area from Sixteenth Street behind the athletic fields was a vacant weed patch.
Biology teachers at the high school yearned for a natural area to take their students to learn from "the real
world". Previous to 1972 students still had many open spaces such as the Back Bay and open fields to explore,
but these places were rapidly disappearing with the development of Orange County. Several of the biology
teachers envisioned improving the gully and unused land next to the high school, and establishing an
educational facility for all ages to enjoy and learn.
Fortunately, these ideas began to germinate when two women from the Junior Ebell Club (Nancy Leland and
Karen Kovach) met with Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Norman Loats to ask what they could do to support
environmental education in our community. It wasn't long before the Junior League became involved. A
community support group was founded and a non-profit organization with a board of directors began meeting.
Just like the "genie in a bottle", educators found enthusiasm they thought they had lost. Potential names for the
site were proposed, and the Junior Ebell group decided it should be named The Environmental Nature Center or
"ENC".
Community and homeowner organizations including the Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary Clubs were approached to
lend their support. With seed funding from Newport Harbor High School and the support of principal Charles
Godshall and Dr. Loats the ENC was ready for take-off.
Jill Durkee, parent and Junior League member, became the first president of the Board of Directors. She and
biology teacher Robert House met with landscape architect Fred Land, who had an appreciation for native
vegetation. He along with Ann Christoph developed the landscape plan and design.
The founders envisioned a completely natural area where students could experience the sounds of birds, the
smell of flowers and the textures of nature. Native trees, shrubs, and flowers, which had adapted to the climate
and geography of California, were planted in the Center. This type of vegetation introduces people to the uses
and benefits of native plants, and shows students the flora they would observe in natural California. The board
initially decided to depict twelve of California's plant communities to demonstrate the benefits of natives.
Desert, chaparral, forest and riparian habitats were established.
The high school initiated classes that would do the work to establish trails, plant trees, rototill, weed, build log
fences, etc. During the first year, four classes of twenty-five students met in the ENC to perform various tasks.
Students built the 300-foot recycling stream with two ponds. Mass quantities of dirt were obtained when the
high school was excavating an Olympic size pool. The pool dirt was dumped into a huge pile that would form a
buffer shield from the athletic fields and also demonstrate the effect of north and south face exposure
adaptations of plants. One hill would provide a natural setting for an amphitheater overlooking the waterfall.
The litter filled gully has since been planted with sycamores, oaks and myriad other native plants. It became a
rewarding task for many people to see this two and one half acre area develop, grow and change into what it has
become one of the most unique examples of native California flora within Southern California. With vegetation
came insects, spiders, lizards, amphibians, birds and mammals. The local Audubon Chapter has recorded over
160 species of birds within and above the Center. The largest mammal to take up temporary residence was a
coyote. We have also seem bobcats, raccoons, skunks, rabbits, and squirrels!
4
As the ENC matured so did the many educational programs. Outdoor educational programs for elementary
students were developed. A volunteer docent group was established to lead teachers and their students on
programs in the Center.
The trees have grown, the plant communities have matured, yet it isn't finished. Nature continuously changes
and with changes come new life and more planting and upkeep if we are to continue to walk with nature in this
place.
Today the ENC is 3.5 acres and combines 15 native California plant communities, wildlife habitats and walking
trails. The ENC provides our community with natural science and social science education programs, preserved
open space, and a sanctuary from the pressures of every day life.
The ENC’s state-of-the-art learning facility was designed to achieve the highest level of “green” building
certification – a LEED Platinum Certification – the first of its kind in Orange County. The building, opened in
May 2008, offers a comprehensive indoor-outdoor educational “habitat,” where students and visitors can
increase their understanding and deepen their appreciation of California’s natural resources and wild places.
Visitors to the 8,500-square-foot facility see examples of “green” building methods including natural
ventilation, organic and re-used materials, reduced water usage, and on-site energy production in the form of a
70-foot photovoltaic array (solar panels). Other sustainable features include light pollution reduction, water and
energy use reduction, recycling, composting, and even green housekeeping methods.
There have been many people involved with the ENC and all have given of themselves to help in its
development. Their time, effort and dedication have been unparalleled. A few who come to mind besides those
already mentioned are Carol Anslow, Kay Brown, Mary Ellen Brownell, Bill Burge, Susan Busch, Peggy Clark,
Susan Clark, Debra Clarke, Cinda Johnson, Bob Kelly, Joan Kitchens, Curt and Michael Owens, Arline Parker,
Joan and Al Pizzo, Rae Price, Bruce Trotter and Richard Yarnal.
The ENC’s Native Orange County Butterfly House
The Environmental Nature Center opened its Orange County Native Butterfly House on Sunday, April 17,
2005. The ENC's Butterfly House is the only one of its kind in Orange County. It is home to several species of
butterfly native to the County, including Mourning Cloak, Western Tiger Swallowtail, and Lorquin's Admiral.
The Butterfly House was made possible by a gift from the Rotary Club of Okazaki South in Japan and the
Rotary Club of Newport Balboa as a joint centennial community service project. Additional funding was
received from Pacific Life Foundation and Home Depot.
In the fall of 2004, Master Gardener volunteers helped ENC grounds coordinator Reginald Durant plant 45
different host and nectar plants for the native Orange County butterflies that live within the Butterfly House.
Durant designed the internal landscape of the butterfly house based on his research determining the host and
nectar plants needed by the butterfly species available.
Within the House, guests can witness adult butterflies laying eggs on their host plants. Larvae munch their host
plants, and adult butterflies emerge from chrysalises.
Butterfly enthusiasts can visit the ENC throughout the Spring and Summer to view new butterfly species such
as Monarch, Queen, Buckeye, West Coast Lady, California Dogface (our state butterfly), Orange Sulphur, and
Western Swallowtail. The Butterfly House is open Monday though Saturday from 10AM to 3PM.
5
IV. Key Policies
The Key Policies were developed to provide you with standards on which to base your behavior while
conducting business as a volunteer for the Environmental Nature Center. The policies are meant to be
fair and unambiguous. Their spirit should be observed regardless of the type of activities you are
involved in as an Environmental Nature Center volunteer.
Dress and Personal Gear
Volunteers are expected to wear appropriate attire for the type of activity they are involved in.
When volunteers are working with the public they should wear their name badge. Name badges
are kept at the front desk.
Scheduling
Volunteers will receive a monthly email asking when they are available to volunteer. Volunteers
who have scheduling requests or conflicts should notify the Director of Education by phone or email well ahead of time. This will help to prevent schedule surprises.
Cancellations
Assignments may be cancelled due to rain. If rain occurs on the day of an assignment, please
call ENC staff to confirm Butterfly House closure before driving over. Visitors are asked to call
the office for an update before visiting the butterfly house. Groups – especially those with very
young children – are required to schedule an appointment before entering, so that a docent or
staff member can be available to provide them with information and supervision.
Punctuality
Volunteers must be on time for a scheduled work shift. Chronic unsubstituted absence (three
times within a year) will result in dismissal from the program.
Docent Behavior
ENC docents should model the behavior expected of the public. At no time is it appropriate to
handle butterflies and plants, or step off the trail.
Dismissal of Docents
Volunteers are required to follow all policies discussed in this manual. Failure to do so may
result in dismissal from the program. The Environmental Nature Center reserves the right to
dismiss docents from the Docent Program at any time as a result of severely inappropriate
behavior while serving as a volunteer. Except in instances involving severely inappropriate
behavior, docents will be allowed two warnings before being dismissed after their third offence.
Warnings can be issued for any offence, including chronic absences.
Sexual Harassment Policy
The ENC does not condone, nor will it permit, sexual harassment of any employee or Volunteer
in the workplace, and all ENC staff and Volunteers are required to abide by this policy. Any
Volunteer experiencing or witnessing such prohibited behavior should report it to the Director of
Education or, if the behavior of such supervisor is perceived to be the problem, then to a higher
level ENC staff member. All complaints will be investigated as expeditiously, discreetly, and
confidentially as possible. No individual who initiates such a complaint in good faith shall be
subject to any form of retaliation or otherwise disadvantaged as a result.
6
Representation of ENC
Volunteers are not authorized to, and must refrain from, speaking on behalf of the ENC.
Volunteers are of course free to speak their own minds (making clear that they do not speak for
the ENC) when away from the Center and not acting as Volunteers, but while acting as
Volunteers they need to exhibit proper decorum and must refrain from derogatory comments
about any private or public individuals, agencies, businesses, or organizations, or the policies of
any of the foregoing, whether they are ENC neighbors or otherwise, realizing that any statements
they make, even if clearly stated to be their own opinion, may be misinterpreted by others as
statements by or on behalf of the ENC.
V.
Emergencies, Incidents, and Accidents
If an emergency occurs while you are in the Center and requires an ambulance, police or fire
department, CALL 911 on the telephone. Tell the dispatcher you are calling from the Environmental
Nature Center. Our phone number is 949-645-8489. Tell an ENC staff person immediately if an
emergency, incident or accident occurs.
The dispatcher will ask you:
1.
2.
3.
4.
What is happening? Give a brief description of the emergency.
Where is the emergency? Be as specific as possible, i.e.: the Environmental Nature Center at
1601 16th Street in Newport Beach. We are next to Newport Harbor High School between Irvine
and Dover on 16th street.
Your name.
Additional information.
If you are calling from a cellular phone, remain on the line with the dispatcher until emergency help
arrives. If you are instructed to end the call, give the dispatcher the number for the cellular phone and
leave the phone “on.”
If possible, send someone out to help direct the emergency vehicles to the correct place. Notify ENC
staff immediately.
7
VI. Requirement for Service
These requirements ensure that you are qualified to handle the various tasks you will be asked to
complete as a volunteer.
Butterfly House Docent Training Class
Volunteer activities reflect directly on the volunteer program and the Environmental Nature Center, and
as such we must maintain a high level of integrity and professionalism. To achieve this, each volunteer
must complete a two-hour training class including a lecture and tour of the butterfly house.
Time Commitment
To ensure that the program succeeds we need all of the volunteers to take an active part. Volunteers are
expected to serve one 2.5-hour assignment a month. You are, of course, welcome to give more time.
We encourage people to stay with the program for as long as they find it interesting and fulfilling!
Volunteer Enrichment
Volunteers are encouraged to continue their professional development after completion of the initial
training class. The ENC offers frequent educational programs, as does the North American Butterfly
Association. The Director of Education will inform docents of appropriate educational opportunities.
Volunteers who make an effort to continue with their professional development typically get more out of
the program and remain active for a longer period of time.
VII. Supplies
Supplies such as educational tools and books are to be used only for Nature Center activities.
Supplies are located in the ENC office, and volunteers are encouraged to bring them into the butterfly
house during their shift to share with the public.
A library of natural history reading materials and videotapes is located at the office. Volunteers may
check out select books and videos. See the Director of Education if you are interested.
8
VIII. Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are butterflies and moths?
Butterflies and moths are a group of insects called Lepidoptera. Like all
insects, butterflies and moths have a head, thorax, abdomen, two antennae, and
six legs. Additionally, moths and butterflies have four wings that are almost
always covered by colored scales, and a coiled proboscis for drinking liquids
such as flower nectar. Lepidoptera is derived from the Latin "lepido"= scale +
"ptera" = wing. Of course there are exceptions; some moths have wingless
adults and some primitive moths lack a proboscis.
2. How many kinds of butterflies and moths exist?
Butterflies and moths are found on all continents except Antarctica, and scientists estimate that there are
approximately 12-15,000 species of butterflies and 150-250,000 species of moths. There are still thousands of
moth and butterfly species that have not been found or described by scientists. In the United States and Canada,
more than 750 species of butterflies and 11,000 species of moths have been recorded. Many species of moths
and a few kinds of butterflies are still being discovered. There is much to be learned.
3. What is the difference between butterflies and moths?
Butterflies are mostly brightly colored day-flying insects with long clubbed
antennae and most moths fly at night and lack clubs at the end of their
antennae. Perhaps the best answer that matches our current knowledge is just
to say that butterflies are "fancy moths."
4. Are there endangered butterflies and moths?
There are more than 20 butterflies and moths listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Most
of these species are found in the United States and may become extinct due to loss of their habitat. Some
butterflies from other countries, such as some rare birdwing butterflies from New Guinea, are endangered by
loss of habitat and by collection of specimens for international trade. Several individual states list and protect
declining butterflies and moths in their state.
5. Are butterflies poisonous?
Some butterflies such as the Monarch and Pipevine Swallowtail eat poisonous plants as caterpillars and are
poisonous themselves as adult butterflies. Birds learn not to eat them. Other good-tasting butterflies (called
"mimics") come to resemble them and thus benefit from this "umbrella" of protection. No butterflies are so
poisonous that they kill people or large animals.
6. How do I identify a caterpillar?
The only readily available books are the Peterson First Guide to Caterpillars by Amy Wright published by
Houghton Mifflin, and the Golden guide to Butterflies and Moths by Robert T. Mitchell.
7. How much do butterflies weigh?
Weights range from 0.3 gram for a large swallowtail to 0.04 gram for a small butterfly called the elf.
9
8. How long do butterflies live?
A fun way to answer this question is to say that they never really die. They are always around us in some form,
whether it be egg, caterpillar, chrysalis or adult. Different butterfly species have different adult potential life
spans. By marking butterflies then recapturing or sighting them later scientists gain information on how long
butterflies can live. An average butterfly species has an adult life span of 2 weeks or less. The Mourning Cloak
adult may live almost a year. It over winters as an adult and then waits to court, mate and lay eggs the following
spring or early summer. Monarchs and Swallowtails may live about a month in the summer, but the Monarchs
that migrate to Mexico or the California coast may live up to 6 months. The long-life champion is a tiny yucca
moth that feeds on Banana Yucca (Yucca baccata). Dr. Jerry Powell of the University of California at Berkeley
has found this moth's caterpillar may be able to wait up until 30 years to form a pupa and emerge as an adult.
When asked this question, it is wise to ask what they actually mean. Do they mean egg to death, or
how long are butterflies adults? By asking, we remind people that the adult stage of a butterfly’s life is not
the only important one. The answer is complex.
The average butterfly species is an adult (or imago) for about two weeks. Some species have a longer
adult life (the Mourning Cloak’s adult stage can last a year), some are shorter. Monarchs live about a
month as adults, but the generation that migrates from Mexico can live six months. It all depends.
Eggs usually take a week or two to hatch. Eggs laid in late fall can overwinter and hatch in spring.
Larvae take anywhere from a week to a few months, depending on species.
Pupae can take anywhere from two weeks to a few years, depending on species.
The short answer? About 2 months.
9. Do butterflies have brains and hearts?
Butterflies do not have a brain like ours, but they do have a bundle of nerve tissue that serves the same
function. It’s in its thorax, not it’s head.
Likewise, they do not have a cardiopulmonary system like we do. They don’t have veins and arteries, and
their “blood” is not red. It’s called hemolymph. The butterfly has a long chambered “heart” that circulates
hemolymph throughout their bodies, bathing their organs in oxygen and nutrients. It runs the length of
their abdomen.
They do not have lungs, and they do not breathe the same way we do. Oxygen enters their bodies through
small holes in their exoskeleton called “spiracles.”
10. Are butterflies pollinators?
They can be. Some flowers are specially adapted to deposit pollen on the bodies of butterflies. Not all
butterflies and moths drink nectar, however. Some butterflies eat tree sap, rotting things, dung, and some
don’t even have mouthparts as an adult. It depends on the butterfly.
11. How does a caterpillar turn into a butterfly?
This is not easy to explain. You can say that inside the chrysalis the caterpillar changes clothes and turns into a
butterfly. (An esoteric explanation: Inside the chrysalis the caterpillar structures are broken down chemically
and the adult's new structures are formed). I (Leslie) just smile and say “Nature is mysterious. The caterpillar
just knows what to do.”
10
12. Why do caterpillars turn into butterflies?
Caterpillars are the eating and growing stage for the butterfly, but they cannot mate and reproduce. The adult
butterfly is both the mating and egg-laying stage of the beautiful insect. Also, adult butterflies can disperse by
flight, sometimes long distances, to either colonize new areas with fresh plants for the caterpillars or even
migrate long distances to escape freezing winters, such as Monarchs flying to Mexico or coastal California for
the winter.
13. How do caterpillars "know" when it is time to turn into a chrysalis?
Caterpillars have a chemical called juvenile hormone in their bodies that is made by their brain. Whenever a
caterpillar sheds its skin and the juvenile hormone level is high it goes to the next caterpillar stage. When the
juvenile hormone level is low the caterpillar wanders to find a site to make a chrysalis (or a cocoon if its a
moth), then it becomes a chrysalis and not another caterpillar stage.
14. Why are butterfly and moth wings so delicate? How are they made?
Butterfly and moth wings are made of thin layers of chitin--the same hardened protein that makes up their
outside body--and are covered with thousands of tiny scales that lend color to the wings. The wings are
strengthened by a system of veins. The wings have to be strong enough to support the body in the air, but still
flexible enough for flight movements.
15. Why do some butterfly and moth wings have such brilliant colors?
The colors of butterfly and moth wings may serve several purposes. Colors are often used in courtship, so that
male and female butterflies recognize each other as the correct species. Bright colors may also serve to warn
birds or other predators that a particular butterfly, such as a Monarch, is bad-tasting. Other butterflies and
moths, although perfectly edible, may have colors that "mimic" the bad-tasting species and thereby gain
protection for themselves. Finally, certain color patterns may help the butterfly or moth blend into its
background and be protected from birds or other would-be predators by camouflage.
16. Do caterpillars have teeth?
Caterpillars have opposable-toothed mandibles to chew their food. These can be seen with a magnifying glass.
17. Do caterpillars have ears? Do butterflies have ears?
No, caterpillars do not have ears. In fact only some moths have "ears." These are not easily seen. Many adult
moths and butterflies have motion stability sensors in their antennae.
18. Why do butterflies have dust on their wings?
The dust on butterfly wings are modified hairs called scales. The scales have at least 4 functions, not
necessarily on the same butterfly species:
(a) They form patterns of bright colors, sometimes with hidden ultraviolet pattern, that are used as signals to the
other sex in attraction for mating.
(b) The bright colors are used to advertise particular butterfly's bad tastes to predators. This protects them from
being eaten.
(c) The scales may form patterns that help the butterflies blend into their background and thus escape being
eaten by birds or other animals by background resemblance.
(d) Dark colors formed by the scales can be used by butterflies to soak up warmth from the sun that allows their
bodies to warm up to flight temperatures in cool seasons or cool environments. Remember butterflies are coldblooded.
11
19. How does one tell the difference between male and female butterflies?
The color pattern on the upper wing surfaces often differs in many species of butterflies. For example the males
of Blues is often bright blue, whereas that of females has lots of brown. Another good way is by behavior.
Males are often perching or patrolling in search of females, and females spend a lot of time searching out plants
to lay their eggs on. The final and definitive way is to examine the abdomen. That of females tends to be
rounder. Males have a slit at the tip and females have round holes where the eggs are laid.
20. How many legs does a caterpillar have?
The number of legs that caterpillars can have varies with the kind of caterpillar and sometimes with its stage.
Usually all of the butterflies or moths in the same family will have the same number of legs on their caterpillars,
but this is not always the case. The caterpillars of some tiny leaf-mining moths may have no legs at all. Most
caterpillars of the larger moths and butterflies have 3 pairs of true legs, and most have 5 pairs of prolegs on their
abdomen. So the best answer would be that most often they have 16 legs.
21. How do butterflies go to the bathroom?
Adult butterflies do not go to the bathroom. Caterpillars do all of the eating and almost continually defecate.
Occasionally adult butterflies drink so much they must emit a fine liquid spray from the tip of their abdomen
but it is almost pure water. Caterpillar poop is called “frass.”
22. Do butterflies eat bugs?
Caterpillars do most of the eating. Almost all caterpillars eat plant parts, and each species may specialize on
only a few kinds of plants or plant parts, but a few are carnivorous. Caterpillars of the carnivorous Harvester
butterfly of the eastern U.S. eat wooly aphids. The adult female butterfly lays her eggs in the middle of aphid
masses.
23. What do butterflies eat?
With few exceptions, adult butterflies eat only various liquids to maintain their water balance and energy stores.
Most butterfly adults sip flower nectar, but others imbibe fluids from sap flowing on trees, rotting fruits, bird
droppings, or animal dung. Many adult butterflies are found drinking fluid from wet sand or mud, especially
along stream courses or the edges of dirt roads or trails.
24. How do butterflies mate?
Male butterflies find females by sight, and use chemicals called pheromones at close range. If the female
accepts the male, they couple end to end and may go on a short courtship flight. They may remain coupled for
an hour or more, sometimes overnight. The male passes a sperm packet called a spermatorphore to the female.
The sperm then fertilize each egg as it passes down the female's egg-laying tube.
25. How do butterflies communicate?
Butterflies can communicate with each other [same or different species] by color, chemicals, sound, and
physical actions. Color patterns are used to signal their sex or species to each other. Chemical pheromones are
used by both sexes of some butterflies to attract the opposite sex or to signal species identity in courtship. A
few butterflies make clicking sounds [males of genus Hamadryas] to protect their space. Some chrysalides
[gossamer wings family] make clicking sounds to attract ants that in turn protect them. Physical actions such as
aggressive flight or postures are used in courtship or to protect resources such as an important flower.
Caterpillars of some species produce sugary substances for ants, which in turn protect the caterpillars.
26. How do butterflies fly?
Butterflies have strong muscles in their thorax, which force their wings up and down on a fulcrum basis. They
actually go in a slanted figure 8 motion that propels them forward through the air in the same principle as an
airplane.
12
27. How high do butterflies fly? How fast do butterflies fly?
Some fast-flying skippers can fly 30 mile per hour or faster. Slow flying butterflies probably fly 5 mph or a
little more. During fall migration migrating Monarchs have been seen flying by tall buildings such as the
Empire State Building at 1,000+ ft. Butterflies are picked up by storm fronts and moved 100's of miles,
probably at altitudes of several thousand feet.
28. Do caterpillars drink water?
Caterpillars do not drink water. They normally obtain sufficient fluids from food plants.
29. Do butterflies sleep or take brief naps? What is sleep to a butterfly?
When butterflies cannot keep their temperatures at activity levels, when it’s cloudy, or at night they become
quiescent. This quiescence, or resting, is not equivalent to human sleep. Butterflies always have their eyes open,
since they do not have eyelids and they probably do not dream.
30. Where do butterflies go when it rains?
Butterflies hide when it rains. They usually go to the same places they do for the night. Some butterflies hide
under large leaves, some crawl down into dense leaves or under rocks, and some just sit head down on grass
stems or bushes with wings held tightly. If the rains are exceptionally hard or of long duration many of the
butterflies become tattered or die.
31. Do caterpillars hide somewhere at night?
The full-grown caterpillars usually wander off the plant some distance to find a place to make their chrysalis.
During the feeding and growth stage they just remain under leaves.
32. Where can I find butterflies and moths?
Butterflies and moths are found during the warmer months of the year in many different environments. In most
places, May to August are the best months, and you will do well looking in sunny exposed places with low
plants. Many national parks, wildlife refuges, or other wild places are usually rich in butterfly species.
33. How can I catch a butterfly or moth?
Catching butterflies is not a great idea. It will probably hurt them. The best way to see butterflies is to find
them in the wild, and watch them there. A butterfly would not be happy living with you. Today, many people
prefer to watch butterflies and moths with small close-focusing binoculars or to photograph the living insects.
Photographing a live butterfly in nature can be more challenging than netting one, and you can keep your
"collection" in a photo album.
34. Where can I buy caterpillars?
We do not condone the purchase of butterflies or larvae. Please see our informational flyer about this
subject. This well-meaning but misguided practice spreads diseases to natural populations, inappropriately
mixes genetically distinct populations of the same species, may disrupt migratory behavior of native butterflies,
confuses scientific studies of butterfly migrations, and usually results in the untimely death of the butterflies
released.
35. I bought my child a Painted Lady kit, now the butterfly has emerged but it is still freezing outside.
What should I do? The best thing to do at this point is to keep the butterfly inside in a small enclosure. Try
feeding it from a sponge impregnated with sugar-water. But, the important thing to remember for the future is
not to buy butterflies. Releasing commercially-raised butterflies into the environment is an act of antienvironmental terror (see above), while keeping the wild butterfly in your home is not a satisfying experience
for most people (not to mention the butterfly). Far better to take your child out to any natural area and search for
wild butterflies and caterpillars, which are easily found in most areas.
13
36. Can butterflies be damaged by handling? Can you damage a chrysalis by handling it?
Any butterfly can be fatally damaged by being handled improperly. For example, the vein on the front wing if
broken will cause the butterfly to be flightless evermore. Their internal organs can be injured. Handling
butterflies is not allowed in the ENC.
37: Are those rabbits? Can I see them? Pay no attention to the rabbits behind the curtain. We’re working on
how to make them less visible.
14
Butterflies of the ENC’s Butterfly House
Mourning Cloak
Western Tiger Swallowtail
Red Admiral
15
Lorquin's Admiral
Monarch
Striated Queen
16
Buckeye
West Coast Lady
Painted Lady
17
California Dogface male
California Dogface female
Orange Sulphur
Satyr Anglewing
18
Butterfly House Docent Volunteer Acceptance Agreement
I have read, understand and agree to comply with the ENC standards as detailed in the Butterfly House Docent Manual.
Volunteer Signature
Date
Name:
Address: ______________________________________________________________________
street
city
zip
Telephone:
(home) _____/______________________ (cell) _____/____________________
(work) _____/______________________ email: ______________________________________
Emergency Contact: _____________________________________________________________
name
relationship
Telephone: _____/______________________________________
EMERGENCY MEDICAL FORM
I hereby authorize and consent to any x-ray, examination, anesthetic, medical or surgical diagnosis rendered under the
general or special supervision of any member of the medical staff and emergency room staff licensed under the Medicine
Practice Act or a dentist licensed under the provisions of the Dental Practice Act and on the staff of any acute general
hospital holding a current license to operate a hospital from the State of California Department of Public Health. It is
understood that this authorization is given in advance of specific diagnosis, treatment or hospital care being required but is
given to provide authority and power to render care which the aforementioned physician in the exercise of his/her best
judgment may deem advisable. I hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Environmental Nature Center, the
Newport–Mesa Unified School District and any of their officers, agents, or employees from any liability, claim or action
for damages resulting from, or in any way arising out of volunteering at or for the ENC.
This authorization is given pursuant to Section 6910 of the Family Code of California and remains effective for one year
from the date of signing.
Upon returning this form, I immediately consent to the use of my name, likeness and photo for use in all manners by the
ENC staff, including displays, newsletters, brochures or any other lawful purposes.
Signature: _______________________________________________________
Phone: ____/__________________________Date:_______________________
ENC Staff Signature: __________________________ Date:______________
19