Carleton’s biology department is hosting its annual butterfly show from Sept. 30 to Oct. 8, where visitors will interact with thousands of exotic species.
According to a press release, this year’s nine-day show includes 1,300 butterflies from 41 exotic species. It adds that last year, 1,000 local students and 10,000 visitors attended the show.
The show is held at the on-campus greenhouse in the Nesbitt Biology Building and is open to students, faculty, and public.
Jim des Rivières, a photographer and fine art printer who focuses on moths, has provided posters for the event for the past 16 years. des Rivières said the same core mix of butterflies appeals to crowds each year. He added that the blue morpho butterflies are one of the most popular with the crowds, due to their beautiful colour and because they tend to fly low near people. He said one new species this year is the Shoemaker butterfly, which has black wings branded with orange.
According to des Rivières, the exhibit partners with two different butterfly supply companies in the United States and England. The butterflies are raised in their natural habitat—the tropics—with native vegetation. He said that the insects are then collected and shipped to different shows. According to des Rivières, popular species, such as the blue morpho are always available, but some species are rarer.
One first-time show attendee, who asked not to be named, said she was “pleasantly surprised” with the exhibit. She said she didn’t know what to expect coming into it and was a little startled when a butterfly landed on her shoulder, but overall really enjoyed herself. The Nesbitt Biology Building was filled with children and adults holding orange slices, reaching out to attract the butterflies.
Guests exiting the exhibit were asked to make a donation to fund next year’s exhibit in order to continue the tradition of butterfly shows at Carleton.
Photo by Samuel Gabriel
