Moth Sex Pheromones
Female moths produce a sex pheromone, a different blend of chemicals for each species, which attracts males from a distance. Males detect these chemicals with exquisitely sensitive hair-like structures in the antenna. These hairs contain specialized neurons, nerve cells that express pheromone receptors which are activated when they bind to individual pheromone components. Different species […]
The Blue Triangle Butterfly
The Blue Triangle butterfly, Graphium sarpedon has been the star research subject in Japan. All butterflies see colours like we do, plus they also see ultraviolet and polarized light. However, recent studies in Japan of the Blue Triangle butterflies have found each of their eyes have at least 15 different types of photo receptors. Most […]
Friday Fun Fact – where are Britain’s butterflies going?
The numbers of Britain’s butterflies have dropped dramatically over the last summer season. The British Butterfly Conservation survey began in 2010. The Big Butterfly Count is a nationwide survey to help create a picture of which species are most at risk. This year 36,000 volunteers took part, recording sightings of butterflies around the region. Despite an […]
Poo-throwing Caterpillars
Yup, you heard us! This one is all about poo-throwing caterpillars … messy little creatures! Some species of caterpillars have a unique “catapulting” mechanism for waste disposal. For example, silver-spotted skipper caterpillars use their blood pressure pump to throw their faecal pellets from an anal “launching pad” up to 1.4 meters away from their nest […]
Brahmaea wallichii
Caterpillars are the best fun to look at, we think! Brahmaea wallichii is a moth from the Brahmaeidae family. It is found in the north of India, Bhutan, Myanmar, China, Taiwan and Japan. How extremely weird and beautiful is this species? Photos courtesy of https://au.pinterest.com/pin/298574650271013073/
Welcome to Koko!
We’re a bit belated, but please join us in welcoming Koko to our team here at Australian Butterfly Sanctuary! Pepe has abandoned us to go traveling (oh no!), so Koko has stepped into the lab to take over. It’s a busy job feeding and caring for 3000 hungry little caterpillars every day, so we are […]
Killer Caterpillar!
During the summer months we often have Hercules Moths and caterpillars on display. These Moths from the Saturniidae family are a local favourite as they are one of the largest moths in the world and the caterpillars are HUGE – up to 14.5 cm in length and weighing up to 45 grams (and pretty cute […]
Waterproof Butterfly Wings
The lotus leaf was thought to have the best surface for repelling water and staying dry in nature, but a team from MIT in Boston have found a superior waterproof structure in butterfly wings. Adding tiny ridges to a silicon surface made water bounce off it 40% faster than what had been previously achieved. Similar […]
Hong Kong Airlines visit our sanctuary
We were lucky to host a trade famil from Hong Kong Airlines last week, with delegates enjoying the beauty and serenity of our beautiful sanctuary … and of course, our butterflies! A beautiful lunch was provided by our sister park, Rainforestation Nature Park, served out on our deck in the sunshine. It was wonderful to […]
New display – Morpho Butterflies
We are very proud to have a new display in our museum, showcasing Morpho butterflies from South America! This is very exciting for all of our guides and staff, especially Robin who said it was a “knock your socks off” moment. We hope you love it as much as we do!