Straddling the Rio Grande and offering more than 300 species of butterflies, the National Butterfly Center opens its welcome center in Mission, Texas, on Thursday, October 28 at 2 PM.
Mexican Bluewing, photo courtesy of National Butterfly Center
The opening will be followed by the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) Biennial Members’ Meeting October 28-31. The meeting will be held in association with the Texas Butterfly Festival.
According to NABA, the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas is the best location in the United States for a butterfly facility because of the diversity of butterfly species that inhabit and frequent the multiple ecosystems that comprise the landscape–from Falcon Dam to Boca Chica where the Rio Grande empties into the Gulf of Mexico.
It’s not too late to register for the meeting.
Monika,
I very much enjoy your posts and blog. I would like to know more about the idea of butterfly nets having a negative impact. Can you elaborate a bit on what was presented at the recent meeting in Austin?
Just the opposite has been my experience.
I never fail to ‘convert’ a kid at heart with he opportunity of catching, and releasing a magical creature with a net.
Keep up the great work.
Hi Veronica and thanks for writing. Dr. Jeffrey Glassberg commented in a rather offhanded way that he thought few things had deterred the practice of “butterflying” than nets. He said that he thought most people don’t want to run around a field carrying a net. He was very much an advocate of close-focus binoculars. I’m with you, though, in believing that the activity of netting butterflies is very engaging and allows a unique experience of literally getting in touch with nature. For those of us who tag Monarchs, it’s a downright necessity. Again, thanks for writing and I agree with you completely about how to convert kids!
I have just been introduced to your posts and blog which are quite informative. Already I would like information about blue mist plants and fritillaries.
Are all those butterflies laying eggs? Are they going to over-winter here? Should I not prune back the blue mist when it dries? Thank you –
Thank you for the kind words, Judith. Not sure which butterflies you’re referring to about laying eggs–can’t tell. Same regarding if they’re going to overwinter. Butterflies live about 3 – 6 weeks, except for migrating Monarchs which can live many months. AS for your mist flower, you can let it goto seed and it will come back, and/or you can trim it. It is a bit invasive so your are likely not to have a problem with it returning in the spring. I always like to leave a few blooms for visiting butterflies, so feel free to leave some on as well. Not sure where you live, but in San Antonio our first frost date is coming up soon, November 15, so butterfly season will be over for a while. Good luck!