FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 7, 2008)   

Zoo Is Aflutter Over New Butterfly Exhibit

A metamorphosis is taking place behind the Large Mammal Building at the Dallas Zoo. The emu yard is changing into an interactive butterfly exhibit that opens on April 19 for Dallas Roars!  The new butterfly exhibit, presented by Kimberly-Clark Corporation, will be open until mid-June, when temperatures begin to rise over 90 degrees.

“As longtime supporters of the Dallas Zoo, Kimberly-Clark appreciates the role the Zoo plays in enhancing the quality of life for families and the community-at-large,” said Carolyn Mentesana, vice president of the Kimberly-Clark Foundation, which also sponsors the Kimberly-Clark Chimpanzee Forest. “This is not just our gift to the Zoo, it is the Zoo’s gift to our employees and to area residents.”

Hearts will flutter as visitors enter the exhibit to view 100 to 200 butterflies in a lush landscaped setting. A bubbling fountain in the background adds to the peaceful setting.

“Butterflies are ambassadors to the insect world,” said Dale Clark, founder of Butterflies Unlimited. Clark, who collected butterflies as a child and now raises butterflies on his property in Glen Heights, near DeSoto, is supplying butterflies for this exhibit. “They are a great indicator species. Their survival relies on the interaction between plants and soil.”

More than a dozen Texas native species will be displayed, including monarch butterflies; zebra longwings; Gulf fritillaries; question marks; red admirals; and black, pipevine, and giant swallowtails.

“There are 170 different species of butterflies native to Dallas County alone,” Clark said. “Some have been extirpated due to new housing developments, but they can be found nearby.”

Landscaping is critical to butterfly survival. The Zoo’s horticultural department is planting perennial nectar plants to provide food for the butterflies. The exhibit also will feature lantana, purple coneflowers, verbena, milkweed, black-eyed susans, and of course butterfly bushes.

 “Anyone can create a garden to attract butterflies,” said Cindy Wahkinney, horticulture supervisor for the Dallas Zoo. “Many butterflies prefer certain colors of flowers like red, blue, orange, and purple. They can see an intense range of colors.  But color is not the only consideration. In order to have a prolific garden, you need host plants as well as nectar plants.”

Butterflies lay eggs on the host plants; caterpillars hatch, eat the plants, and develop into pupae. When they emerge as butterflies, they seek the nectar plants, she explained. In host plants, black swallowtails look for fennel, dill, parsley, and rue to lay their eggs. Gulf fritillaries like passionvine. Pipevine plants of course attract pipevine swallowtail butterflies.

“Female butterflies have sensors in their legs,” Wahkinney explained. “They feel and taste the plants and intuitively know where their eggs will survive.”
The exhibit will feature the insects throughout their life cycle – from eggs to caterpillars to pupae, and finally as butterflies.

The 30- by 48-foot exhibit is covered in mesh to keep the butterflies from escaping, yet allows plenty of room for flight. Small trees, large bushes, and other plants of varying height provide the insects with places to rest and go for protection. Benches give visitors a place to rest as well and to enjoy the view as volunteers help point out various species and stages in the insects’ life cycles.

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