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BUTTERFLIES IN NATURE
Need a moment in nature? Enjoy calming music while you observe butterflies and moths in their natural habitats.
BUTTERFLIES IN NATURE
Need a moment in nature? Enjoy calming music while you observe butterflies and moths in their natural habitats.
TIGER MOTHS
Tiger Moths are not butterflies, but a relative in the same order, Lepidoptera. Tiger Moth larvae (and some adults) consume toxic plants to gain chemical protection against would-be predators. Visit our MPM collection’s page below to learn more.
TIGER MOTHS
Tiger Moths are not butterflies, but a relative in the same order, Lepidoptera. Tiger Moth larvae (and some adults) consume toxic plants to gain chemical protection against would-be predators. Visit our MPM collection’s page below to learn more.
GYNANDROMORPH COLLECTION
Gynandromorphs are butterflies that show both male and female characteristics. Learn more about MPM’s extensive collection of gynandromorphs by clicking the icon below.
GYNANDROMORPH COLLECTION
Gynandromorphs are butterflies that show both male and female characteristics. Learn more about MPM’s extensive collection of gynandromorphs by clicking the icon below.
STARRY NIGHT CRACKER
(Hamadryas laodamia)
Range: Central and South America
Diet: Rotting fruit, tree sap, and animal dung
The butterflies of the Hamadryas genus are known as Crackers, because the males can create a crackling sound with their wings for mating purposes. However, the Starry night crackers found in our vivarium are the only one of the genus that do not make this sound. Starry night crackers get their name from the Van Gogh painting Starry Night.
STARRY NIGHT CRACKER
(Hamadryas laodamia)
Range: Central and South America
Diet: Rotting fruit, tree sap, and animal dung
The butterflies of the Hamadryas genus are known as Crackers, because the males can create a crackling sound with their wings for mating purposes. However, the Starry night crackers found in our vivarium are the only one of the genus that do not make this sound. Starry night crackers get their name from the Van Gogh painting Starry Night.
COMMON POSTMAN
(Heliconius melpomene)
Range: Central and South America
Diet: Pollen and Nectar
The colors of the common postman are a warning to predators that they are poisonous to eat. The species is called “postman” because they will visit the same flowers in the same order every day, just like a mail carrier going from house to house.
COMMON POSTMAN
(Heliconius melpomene)
Range: Central and South America
Diet: Pollen and Nectar
The colors of the common postman are a warning to predators that they are poisonous to eat. The species is called “postman” because they will visit the same flowers in the same order every day, just like a mail carrier going from house to house.
MALACHITE
(Siproeta stelenes)
Range: Central America, South America, Florida, the Caribbean and Souther Texas
Diet: Rotting fruit, nectar, and animal droppings
This butterfly is named after the mineral malachite because of its vibrant green color.
MALACHITE
(Siproeta stelenes)
Range: Central America, South America, Florida, the Caribbean and Souther Texas
Diet: Rotting fruit, nectar, and animal droppings
This butterfly is named after the mineral malachite because of its vibrant green color.
PAPER KITE
(Idea leuconoe)
Range: Southeast Asia and Northern Australia
Diet: Nectar
This butterfly has three frequently used “common names.” It is called paper kite butterfly, rice paper butterfly, and large tree nymph butterfly in different parts of its habitat.
Identified species often have two types of names: their scientific name and their common name. Scientific names are important in research, because it is a name the worldwide scientific community has agreed upon, so scientists are clear what species is being referred to in research. However, many species have a different “common” name depending on the culture in the area it is located. A local example of this is the pill bug, which is also called a roly poly or doodlebug.
PAPER KITE
(Idea leuconoe)
Range: Southeast Asia and Northern Australia
Diet: Nectar
This butterfly has three frequently used “common names.” It is called paper kite butterfly, rice paper butterfly, and large tree nymph butterfly in different parts of its habitat.
Identified species often have two types of names: their scientific name and their common name. Scientific names are important in research, because it is a name the worldwide scientific community has agreed upon, so scientists are clear what species is being referred to in research. However, many species have a different “common” name depending on the culture in the area it is located. A local example of this is the pill bug, which is also called a roly poly or doodlebug.
WELCOME
Welcome to Puelicher Butterfly Vivarium! Unfortunately, the Vivarium and butterflies are off exhibit right now, but will reemerge in a few months.
Visit again soon!
WELCOME
Welcome to Puelicher Butterfly Vivarium! Unfortunately, the Vivarium and butterflies are off exhibit right now, but will reemerge in a few months.
Visit again soon!
GIANT OWL BUTTERFLY
(Caligo eurilochus)
Range: Central and South America
Diet: Nectar and rotting fruit
Giant owl butterflies get their name from the spots on their wings that look like an owl’s eyes. This adaptation confuses would-be predators.
GIANT OWL BUTTERFLY
(Caligo eurilochus)
Range: Central and South America
Diet: Nectar and rotting fruit
Giant owl butterflies get their name from the spots on their wings that look like an owl’s eyes. This adaptation confuses would-be predators.
COMMON MORMON
(Papilio lowi)
Range: Indonesia and the Philippines
Diet: Flower Nectar
Like many species, the males and female common mormon look very different from each other. The larvae feed on the leaves of citrus plants.
COMMON MORMON
(Papilio lowi)
Range: Indonesia and the Philippines
Diet: Flower Nectar
Like many species, the males and female common mormon look very different from each other. The larvae feed on the leaves of citrus plants.
NATURE HAIKU
Butterflies have been found in works of art and literature from ancient times to the present. Create your own poem about butterflies or another part of nature using the guide below.
NATURE HAIKU
Butterflies have been found in works of art and literature from ancient times to the present. Create your own poem about butterflies or another part of nature using the guide below.
WELCOME TO THE PUELICHER BUTTERFLY WING
This gallery focuses on butterflies, but also covers other animals in the arthropod phylum. The arthropod phylum is the largest of the animal phyla. Learn more from our Puelicher Butterfly Wing Supervisor Jon Bertolas.
WELCOME TO THE PUELICHER BUTTERFLY WING
This gallery focuses on butterflies, but also covers other animals in the arthropod phylum. The arthropod phylum is the largest of the animal phyla. Learn more from our Puelicher Butterfly Wing Supervisor Jon Bertolas.
WELCOME TO THE
PUELICHER BUTTERFLY WING
This gallery focuses on butterflies, but also covers other animals in the arthropod phylum. The arthropod phylum is the largest of the animal phyla. Learn more from our Puelicher Butterfly Wing Supervisor Jon Bertolas.
WELCOME TO THE
PUELICHER BUTTERFLY WING
This gallery focuses on butterflies, but also covers other animals in the arthropod phylum. The arthropod phylum is the largest of the animal phyla. Learn more from our Puelicher Butterfly Wing Supervisor Jon Bertolas.
INSECT/ARACHNID COMPARISON
Learn about insects and arachnids in the video below. Then, download our Insect vs. arachnid resource to create your own.
INSECT/ARACHNID COMPARISON
Learn about insects and arachnids in the video below. Then, download our Insect vs. arachnid resource to create your own.
BLUE MORPHO BUTTERFLY
(Morpho peleides)
Range: Central and South America
Diet: Rotting fruit
Visitors will notice plates of fruit throughout our Vivarium for the blue morpho and other frugivores (fruit eaters) to feed on. The underside of the blue morpho’s wing is brown with numerous “eye spots” to camouflage the butterfly from predators.
BLUE MORPHO BUTTERFLY
(Morpho peleides)
Range: Central and South America
Diet: Rotting fruit
Visitors will notice plates of fruit throughout our Vivarium for the blue morpho and other frugivores (fruit eaters) to feed on. The underside of the blue morpho’s wing is brown with numerous “eye spots” to camouflage the butterfly from predators.
INSECTS AND ARACHNIDS
Learn about insects and arachnids in the video below. Then, download our insect vs. arachnid resource to create your own.
INSECTS AND ARACHNIDS
Learn about insects and arachnids in the video below. Then, download our insect vs. arachnid resource to create your own.
WELCOME TO BUGS ALIVE!
Welcome to Bugs Alive! Unfortunately, the Bugs are off exhibit right now, but will reemerge in a few months. Visit again soon!
WELCOME TO BUGS ALIVE!
Welcome to Bugs Alive! Unfortunately, the Bugs are off exhibit right now, but will reemerge in a few months. Visit again soon!
CRUSTACEANS
Crustaceans such as Wisconsin’s native crayfish are extremely important to understand the health of our natural resources. MPM has done extensive research on crustaceans of Wisconsin, including publishing a book. To learn more about our crustacean research, click the icon below.
CRUSTACEANS
Crustaceans such as Wisconsin’s native crayfish are extremely important to understand the health of our natural resources. MPM has done extensive research on crustaceans of Wisconsin, including publishing a book. To learn more about our crustacean research, click the icon below.
[Terrarium Exhibit Label]
Scientific name: Archispirostreptus gigas
Common name: Giant black millipede
Locality: Ghana and other parts of tropical western Africa
Habitat: rain forests-in moist leaf litter, under bark or in the soil (feeding on decaying plants)
Behavior: curls into spiral and secretes smelly irritating fluid for defense.
Why so many legs? -an excellent adaptation for burrowing
Scientific name: Scolopendra heros
Common name: Giant desert centipede
Locality: Texas and southwestern United States
Habitat: warm, dry desert regions
Behavior: active at night and seeks shelter in moist dark areas (under stones, logs, etc.) by day; uses fangs to inject venom into insects, earthworms and other small prey.
Note: Never handle centipedes-painful bite!
[Terrarium Exhibit Label]
Scientific name: Archispirostreptus gigas
Common name: Giant black millipede
Locality: Ghana and other parts of tropical western Africa
Habitat: rain forests-in moist leaf litter, under bark or in the soil (feeding on decaying plants)
Behavior: curls into spiral and secretes smelly irritating fluid for defense.
Why so many legs? -an excellent adaptation for burrowing
Scientific name: Scolopendra heros
Common name: Giant desert centipede
Locality: Texas and southwestern United States
Habitat: warm, dry desert regions
Behavior: active at night and seeks shelter in moist dark areas (under stones, logs, etc.) by day; uses fangs to inject venom into insects, earthworms and other small prey.
Note: Never handle centipedes-painful bite!
[Terrarium Label]
Scientific name: Pandinus imperator
Common name: Emperor scorpion
Locality: tropical western Africa
Behavior: hide by day and hunt for insects, centipedes and other prey at night (most scorpions have poor eyesight but detect vibrations, scents and air movements to find prey)
Scientific name: Hadogenes troglodytes
Common name: Flat rock scorpion
Locality: southern Africa
Habitat: rocky crevices
Note: of 1300 species worldwide, only 20-50 (one in the United States) have venom that is life threatening for people
[Terrarium Label]
Scientific name: Pandinus imperator
Common name: Emperor scorpion
Locality: tropical western Africa
Behavior: hide by day and hunt for insects, centipedes and other prey at night (most scorpions have poor eyesight but detect vibrations, scents and air movements to find prey)
Scientific name: Hadogenes troglodytes
Common name: Flat rock scorpion
Locality: southern Africa
Habitat: rocky crevices
Note: of 1300 species worldwide, only 20-50 (one in the United States) have venom that is life threatening for people
[Terrarium Label Text]
Scientific name: Procambaraus clarkii
Common name: Red swamp crayfish
Locality: Louisiana and southeastern US (but introduced into other parts of the world and causing serious ecological problems)
Habitat: fresh and slightly salty water-rivers, swamps, irrigation ditches or on land-burrows down to the water table when habitat gets dry
Behavior: aggressive and territorial; diet includes fish, newts, worms, insects, snails, some plants; active at night like most other crayfish.
This species is used in Cajun-style cooking
Crayfish (also called crawfish, crawdads, mudbugs); about 150 North American Species
Note: Crustaceans are the only arthropods with four antennae (feelers).
[Terrarium Label Text]
Scientific name: Procambaraus clarkii
Common name: Red swamp crayfish
Locality: Louisiana and southeastern US (but introduced into other parts of the world and causing serious ecological problems)
Habitat: fresh and slightly salty water-rivers, swamps, irrigation ditches or on land-burrows down to the water table when habitat gets dry
Behavior: aggressive and territorial; diet includes fish, newts, worms, insects, snails, some plants; active at night like most other crayfish.
This species is used in Cajun-style cooking
Crayfish (also called crawfish, crawdads, mudbugs); about 150 North American Species
Note: Crustaceans are the only arthropods with four antennae (feelers).
[Terrarium Label]
Scientific name: Mastigoproctuc giganteus
Common name: Giant vinegaroon or whipscorpion (This is the largest species)
Locality: southern United States
Habitats: burrows in sand, or hides under logs during the day
Behavior: vinegaroons can spray vinegar-like mist for defense.
Four pairs of legs-front pair used as feelers; pincers used to capture prey
Scientific name: Damon diadema
Common name: Tanzanian giant striped tailless whipscorpion
Locality: Tanzania, eastern Africa
Behavior: predator of insects, spiders, etc. at night, hides under stones or bark by day, scurries sideways very quickly when disturbed.
Note: Whipscorpions do not have stingers and are not true scorpions. Newborn whipscorpions are carried on the back of their mother.
[Terrarium Label]
Scientific name: Mastigoproctuc giganteus
Common name: Giant vinegaroon or whipscorpion (This is the largest species)
Locality: southern United States
Habitats: burrows in sand, or hides under logs during the day
Behavior: vinegaroons can spray vinegar-like mist for defense.
Four pairs of legs-front pair used as feelers; pincers used to capture prey
Scientific name: Damon diadema
Common name: Tanzanian giant striped tailless whipscorpion
Locality: Tanzania, eastern Africa
Behavior: predator of insects, spiders, etc. at night, hides under stones or bark by day, scurries sideways very quickly when disturbed.
Note: Whipscorpions do not have stingers and are not true scorpions. Newborn whipscorpions are carried on the back of their mother.
[Terrarium Label]
Scientific name: Avicularia versicolor
Common name: Antilles pink-toe tarantula
Locality: Antilles Islands in the Caribbean
Habitat: an arboreal (tree-dwelling) species builds a silk retreat in the forest canopy where it hides during the day;hunts for insects and other prey at night.
Note: All spiders can produce silk. Silk comes out of the spinnerets as a liquid protein that hardens immediately. It is very strong but has lots of stretch. Different glands produce different kinds of silk (some is sticky).
Scientific name: Grammostola rosea
Common name: Rosehair or Chilean rose tarantula
Locality: northern Chile, Bolivia, Argentina
Habitat: dry, arid scrub desert
Behavior: moves around in the wild (nomadic tarantula), hiding in hollow areas under rocks
Some individuals are pinkish and others are more brown in color.
Tarantulas jaws (chelicerae) move up and down. The chelicerae move from side to side in many other spider groups.
Tarantulas are the largest spiders; most live on the ground, some burrow into the soil, others live in trees; all hunt at night using touch or vibrations to find prey.
[Terrarium Label]
Scientific name: Avicularia versicolor
Common name: Antilles pink-toe tarantula
Locality: Antilles Islands in the Caribbean
Habitat: an arboreal (tree-dwelling) species builds a silk retreat in the forest canopy where it hides during the day;hunts for insects and other prey at night.
Note: All spiders can produce silk. Silk comes out of the spinnerets as a liquid protein that hardens immediately. It is very strong but has lots of stretch. Different glands produce different kinds of silk (some is sticky).
Scientific name: Grammostola rosea
Common name: Rosehair or Chilean rose tarantula
Locality: northern Chile, Bolivia, Argentina
Habitat: dry, arid scrub desert
Behavior: moves around in the wild (nomadic tarantula), hiding in hollow areas under rocks
Some individuals are pinkish and others are more brown in color.
Tarantulas jaws (chelicerae) move up and down. The chelicerae move from side to side in many other spider groups.
Tarantulas are the largest spiders; most live on the ground, some burrow into the soil, others live in trees; all hunt at night using touch or vibrations to find prey.
[Terrarium Label]
Scientific name: Extatosoma tiaratum
Common name: Giant prickly walkingstick
Locality: coastal Queensland, Australia.
Habitat: Rain forest and other habitats, feeding on eucalyptus trees
Behavior: Newly hatched nymphs resemble ants. They come out running and head upward for the first few days of life. Only those that make it up into the trees have any chance of surviving.
Stick insects are sometimes confused with a different group, the preying mantids. Mantids prey on other insects. They sit quietly, watching and waiting, front legs folded-almost as if praying-until a victim comes in range of their lightening-quick grasp.
[Terrarium Label]
Scientific name: Extatosoma tiaratum
Common name: Giant prickly walkingstick
Locality: coastal Queensland, Australia.
Habitat: Rain forest and other habitats, feeding on eucalyptus trees
Behavior: Newly hatched nymphs resemble ants. They come out running and head upward for the first few days of life. Only those that make it up into the trees have any chance of surviving.
Stick insects are sometimes confused with a different group, the preying mantids. Mantids prey on other insects. They sit quietly, watching and waiting, front legs folded-almost as if praying-until a victim comes in range of their lightening-quick grasp.
[Terrarium Label]
Scientific name: Platymeris biguttata
Common name: White-eyed or two-spot assassin bug
Locality: Congo and other portions of East and West Africa
Behavior: As its name implies, this is a fierce predator. It pounces on insect prey and uses its sharp needle-like mouth parts (proboscis) to impale them, inject venom and suck out the body fluids.
Besides being equipped with a painful bite, this bug can spray venom from the end of its abdomen. Purpose? An excellent defense when sprayed into the eyes of vertebrate predators.
Note: Many predatory bugs can extend their proboscis forward from the front of their heads unlike cicadas and other bugs that feed on plants.
[Terrarium Label]
Scientific name: Platymeris biguttata
Common name: White-eyed or two-spot assassin bug
Locality: Congo and other portions of East and West Africa
Behavior: As its name implies, this is a fierce predator. It pounces on insect prey and uses its sharp needle-like mouth parts (proboscis) to impale them, inject venom and suck out the body fluids.
Besides being equipped with a painful bite, this bug can spray venom from the end of its abdomen. Purpose? An excellent defense when sprayed into the eyes of vertebrate predators.
Note: Many predatory bugs can extend their proboscis forward from the front of their heads unlike cicadas and other bugs that feed on plants.
BIRDWING BUTTERFLIES
Many moths and butterflies are at risk due to deforestation and other manmade changes to the natural environment. Click the link below to learn more about a special specimen in MPM’s collection that is at risk due to habitat loss.
BIRDWING BUTTERFLIES
Many moths and butterflies are at risk due to deforestation and other manmade changes to the natural environment. Click the link below to learn more about a special specimen in MPM’s collection that is at risk due to habitat loss.
[Terrarium Label]
Scientific name: Gromphadorhina portentosa
Common name: Hissing cockroach
Locality: native to Madagascar
Behavior: produce a hissing sound when disturbed by pushing air out of their spiracles (body openings used for breathing).
Unlike many other cockroach species, these do not have wings and can’t fly.
Males have “horns” used for pushing when fighting over space or females.
Note: Some have small light-colored mites on their bodies. The mites cannot survive off their hosts. They feed on food scraps and saliva from the roaches but don’t harm them.
[Terrarium Label]
Scientific name: Gromphadorhina portentosa
Common name: Hissing cockroach
Locality: native to Madagascar
Behavior: produce a hissing sound when disturbed by pushing air out of their spiracles (body openings used for breathing).
Unlike many other cockroach species, these do not have wings and can’t fly.
Males have “horns” used for pushing when fighting over space or females.
Note: Some have small light-colored mites on their bodies. The mites cannot survive off their hosts. They feed on food scraps and saliva from the roaches but don’t harm them.
[Terrarium Label]
Scientific name: Eudicella smithi
Common name: Jade-headed buffalo beetle
Locality: Africa
Habitat: Tropical forests
Behavior: Grubs develop in rotting longs, compost, or dung. Adults feed on pollen, tree sap, and fruits. They can be trapped along the forest edge using rotten bananas.
[Terrarium Label]
Scientific name: Eudicella smithi
Common name: Jade-headed buffalo beetle
Locality: Africa
Habitat: Tropical forests
Behavior: Grubs develop in rotting longs, compost, or dung. Adults feed on pollen, tree sap, and fruits. They can be trapped along the forest edge using rotten bananas.
FRESH AIR BINGO
Butterflies can be easy to spot, but there’s so much more to discover in your own neighborhood. Ask an adult to go on a walk with our Fresh Air Bingo card to see what you can discover outside!
FRESH AIR BINGO
Butterflies can be easy to spot, but there’s so much more to discover in your own neighborhood. Ask an adult to go on a walk with our Fresh Air Bingo card to see what you can discover outside!
VIVARIUM
The word "vivarium" refers to enclosed areas that mimic the natural conditions of animals kept inside. At MPM’s Vivarium, we rotate among over 50 species of butterflies. The butterflies are brought to MPM as chrysalises, which are then hatched in this special chamber.
VIVARIUM
The word "vivarium" refers to enclosed areas that mimic the natural conditions of animals kept inside. At MPM’s Vivarium, we rotate among over 50 species of butterflies. The butterflies are brought to MPM as chrysalises, which are then hatched in this special chamber.
THANK YOU!
Thanks for visiting the Vivarium! Now that you’ve learned about some of our butterflies, download the PDF below to learn even more about Butterfly wings and color some of your own.
THANK YOU!
Thanks for visiting the Vivarium! Now that you’ve learned about some of our butterflies, download the PDF below to learn even more about Butterfly wings and color some of your own.
DIVERSITY
You can study the diversity of arthropods just like a real entomologist (a person who studies insects)! Download our Insect Observation sheet to learn how.
DIVERSITY
You can study the diversity of arthropods just like a real entomologist (a person who studies insects)! Download our Insect Observation sheet to learn how.