The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory / June 4, 2008

The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory

The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory has an impressive collection of flowering plants, colorful birds, cascading waterfalls and trees that set the stage for the "flowers of the sky." There is a variety of some 50 to 60 butterfly species from around the world, along with over 20 exotic bird species, all under a climate- controlled, glass enclosed habitat.

Giant Atlas Moth Caterpillar

The Giant Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas) is found as various subspecies from India and Sri Lanka eastward to China, and across the islands of south-east Asia to Java. The Giant Atlas is generally recognized as being the largest moth in the world, having a wing area of about 400 sq cms (65 sq. inches ). It can measure up to 30 cms (approx. 12 inches) across the wings but is beaten in terms of sheer wingspan by a South American moth Thysania agrippina which measures up to 32 cms (approx. 12.5 inches) across the wings, although it has a significantly smaller wing area than Attacus atlas. Despite their huge size and bright colors, Giant Atlas moths are remarkably difficult to find in the wild. The disruptive pattern breaks up the moth's outline into irregular shapes which blend well amongst a mix of living and dead foliage. If disturbed from rest the moth employs an unusual form of defense - it simply drops to the ground and slowly fans the wings. As the wings move, the "snake's head" lobe at the apex of the forewing oscillates. This is thought to be a threat gesture and probably deters predators who "see" a snake instead of a moth.The Atlas moth does not have a mouth, meaning it cannot eat. It lives off energy stored as a caterpillar which is why it only lives 5 to 7 days. ⁠ The moth can be seen in pictures 4 and 5!!

Giant Atlas Moth Caterpillar

The Giant Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas) is found as various subspecies from India and Sri Lanka eastward to China, and across the islands of south-east Asia to Java. The Giant Atlas is generally recognized as being the largest moth in the world, having a wing area of about 400 sq cms (65 sq. inches ). It can measure up to 30 cms (approx. 12 inches) across the wings but is beaten in terms of sheer wingspan by a South American moth Thysania agrippina which measures up to 32 cms (approx. 12.5 inches) across the wings, although it has a significantly smaller wing area than Attacus atlas. Despite their huge size and bright colors, Giant Atlas moths are remarkably difficult to find in the wild. The disruptive pattern breaks up the moth's outline into irregular shapes which blend well amongst a mix of living and dead foliage. If disturbed from rest the moth employs an unusual form of defense - it simply drops to the ground and slowly fans the wings. As the wings move, the "snake's head" lobe at the apex of the forewing oscillates. This is thought to be a threat gesture and probably deters predators who "see" a snake instead of a moth.The Atlas moth does not have a mouth, meaning it cannot eat. It lives off energy stored as a caterpillar which is why it only lives 5 to 7 days. ⁠ The moth can be seen in pictures 4 and 5!!

Giant Atlas Moth

The Giant Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas) is found as various subspecies from India and Sri Lanka eastward to China, and across the islands of south-east Asia to Java. The Giant Atlas is generally recognized as being the largest moth in the world, having a wing area of about 400 sq cms (65 sq. inches ). It can measure up to 30 cms (approx. 12 inches) across the wings but is beaten in terms of sheer wingspan by a South American moth Thysania agrippina which measures up to 32 cms (approx. 12.5 inches) across the wings, although it has a significantly smaller wing area than Attacus atlas. Despite their huge size and bright colors, Giant Atlas moths are remarkably difficult to find in the wild. The disruptive pattern breaks up the moth's outline into irregular shapes which blend well amongst a mix of living and dead foliage. If disturbed from rest the moth employs an unusual form of defense - it simply drops to the ground and slowly fans the wings. As the wings move, the "snake's head" lobe at the apex of the forewing oscillates. This is thought to be a threat gesture and probably deters predators who "see" a snake instead of a moth.The Atlas moth does not have a mouth, meaning it cannot eat. It lives off energy stored as a caterpillar which is why it only lives 5 to 7 days. ⁠

Giant Atlas Moth

The Giant Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas) is found as various subspecies from India and Sri Lanka eastward to China, and across the islands of south-east Asia to Java. The Giant Atlas is generally recognized as being the largest moth in the world, having a wing area of about 400 sq cms (65 sq. inches ). It can measure up to 30 cms (approx. 12 inches) across the wings but is beaten in terms of sheer wingspan by a South American moth Thysania agrippina which measures up to 32 cms (approx. 12.5 inches) across the wings, although it has a significantly smaller wing area than Attacus atlas. Despite their huge size and bright colors, Giant Atlas moths are remarkably difficult to find in the wild. The disruptive pattern breaks up the moth's outline into irregular shapes which blend well amongst a mix of living and dead foliage. If disturbed from rest the moth employs an unusual form of defense - it simply drops to the ground and slowly fans the wings. As the wings move, the "snake's head" lobe at the apex of the forewing oscillates. This is thought to be a threat gesture and probably deters predators who "see" a snake instead of a moth.The Atlas moth does not have a mouth, meaning it cannot eat. It lives off energy stored as a caterpillar which is why it only lives 5 to 7 days. ⁠

Common Birdwing Caterpillar

The Common Birdwing Caterpillar (Troides helena) is the most common and most widespread in the genus Troides. It is found in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, south China, Taiwan, West Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Java and Bali. The butterfly can be seen in the next three photos.

Common Birdwing

The Common Birdwing (Troides helena) is the most common and most widespread in the genus Troides. It is found in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, south China, Taiwan, West Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Java and Bali.

Common Birdwing

The Common Birdwing (Troides helena) is the most common and most widespread in the genus Troides. It is found in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, south China, Taiwan, West Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Java and Bali.

Common Birdwing

The Common Birdwing (Troides helena) is the most common and most widespread in the genus Troides. It is found in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, south China, Taiwan, West Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Java and Bali. [B]

Giant Owl

Giant Owl (Caligo Memnon)

Blue Morpho

The Blue Morpho (Morpho peleides) lives in the tropical forests of Latin America from Mexico to Colombia. As its common name implies, the Blue Morpho butterfly’s wings are bright blue, edged with black. The Blue Morpho is among the largest butterflies in the world, with wings spanning from five to eight inches. Their vivid, iridescent blue coloring is a result of the microscopic scales on the backs of their wings, which reflect light. The underside of the morpho’s wings, on the other hand, is a dull brown color with many eyespots, providing camouflage against predators such as birds and insects when its wings are closed. This beautiful butterfly was either eating with its wings closed OR flitting everywhere throughout the conservatory. It was next to impossible to catch one with its wings open - well, unless one wanted a photo with a slight intentional blur (if you know what I mean :)), which you will see later on :)

Blue Morpho

A glimpse of blue :) The Blue Morpho lives in the tropical forests of Latin America from Mexico to Colombia. As its common name implies, the Blue Morpho butterfly’s wings are bright blue, edged with black. The Blue Morpho is among the largest butterflies in the world, with wings spanning from five to eight inches. Their vivid, iridescent blue coloring is a result of the microscopic scales on the backs of their wings, which reflect light. The underside of the morpho’s wings, on the other hand, is a dull brown color with many eyespots, providing camouflage against predators such as birds and insects when its wings are closed. This beautiful butterfly was either eating with its wings closed OR flitting everywhere throughout the conservatory. It was next to impossible to catch one with its wings open - well, unless one wanted a photo with a slight intentional blur (if you know what I mean :)), which you will see later on :)

Blue Morpho

A tattered wing; however, another glimpse of blue :)The Blue Morpho lives in the tropical forests of Latin America from Mexico to Colombia. As its common name implies, the Blue Morpho butterfly’s wings are bright blue, edged with black. The Blue Morpho is among the largest butterflies in the world, with wings spanning from five to eight inches. Their vivid, iridescent blue coloring is a result of the microscopic scales on the backs of their wings, which reflect light. The underside of the morpho’s wings, on the other hand, is a dull brown color with many eyespots, providing camouflage against predators such as birds and insects when its wings are closed.

Butterfuly

Finch

There are many tiny little birds in the conservatory. Most of them are on the ground or perched on trees . . . I don't remember seeing too many of them flying around, which I guess is a "good" thing for the visitors :)

Paper Kite

Paper Kite (Idea leuconoe) [Also commonly called Rice Paper Butterfly, Tree Nymph Butterfly] - These beauties come from Malaysia and the Philippines and Southeast Asia in general.

Paper Kite

Paper Kite (Idea leuconoe) [Also commonly called Rice Paper Butterfly, Tree Nymph Butterfly] - These beauties come from Malaysia and the Philippines and Southeast Asia in general. [B]

Gouldian Finch

The Gouldian Finch (Chloebia gouldiae) is a colorful passerine bird endemic to Australia. It has a grass-green upper body from the lower nape to the back and wings, a pale blue rump and a purple breast. The belly is bright yellow, and the bill is whitish, with a red or yellow tip. There are three distinct color variations in the Gouldian finch, with individuals having either a red, black or yellow head. These splashes of color determine the common names of this species: the red-headed, black-headed and yellow-headed Gouldian finch.Status: Near Threatened --> Status information found at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

Gouldian Finch [left]

The Gouldian Finch (Chloebia gouldiae) is a colorful passerine bird endemic to Australia. It has a grass-green upper body from the lower nape to the back and wings, a pale blue rump and a purple breast. The belly is bright yellow, and the bill is whitish, with a red or yellow tip. There are three distinct color variations in the Gouldian finch, with individuals having either a red, black or yellow head. These splashes of color determine the common names of this species: the red-headed, black-headed and yellow-headed Gouldian finch.Status: Near Threatened --> Status information found at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

Butterfly

White Zebra Finch

The White Zebra Finch [female] was one of the earliest mutations to occur in captivity. Its exact place and origin is unknown. The White mutation is recessive. True Whites are devoid of all markings and the entire plumage is white. Whites retain the beak color, dark eye color, and orange pigmented legs. The beak color is the only reliable way in which to sex White Zebras. Males have a dark red beak, females retain an orange beak.

The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory

Julia Butterfly

Julia Butterfly Dryas iulia

Lysander Cattleheart

Lysander Cattleheart (Parides lysander)