El Cielo, an Effective Partnership in Conservation

Martin Feather, San Antonio Zoo

El Cielo Biosphere is located in Tamaulipas state, MX and is a strong partnership between local landowners and conservation organizations. "El Cielo has been a United Nations recognized Biosphere Reserve since 1987. El Cielo received its designation in order to conserve the unique biodiversity of the region by integrating conservation plans through local communities living in the area. Approximately 40% of El Cielo is on ejido land, including all of the land along the Gomez Farias-Alta Cima-San José corridor. People within El Cielo are proud their land is rich in diversity and have a great love and understanding of the natural environment where they live; however living within a Biosphere Reserve has completely changed the way these communities live."

Translocation of the Silver-Bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene)
to a Wet Prairie in McHenry County, Illinois

Doug Taron, Chicago Academy of Sciences

The Silver-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene) is a circumpolar species that apparently is declining across much of the southern edge of its range. In Illinois only two large populations remain, both in wet prairies. Reasons for the species’ decline are unclear, however habitat destruction appears to be the most significant factor. It does not appear spontaneously to re-colonize prairie restorations. In 2007, several generations were bred in captivity. Over 100 individuals were released at a prairie restoration site in McHenry County. This site will be monitored in 2008 for evidence of the establishment of a population.

In Praise of the Disheveled Pasture Motif

Faith B. Kuehn, Plant Industries, Delaware Department of Agriculture

Wild bees, pollinators of agricultural crops and native plants, find food and nesting sites in hedgerows, field borders and other areas of diverse vegetation. Long-term population trends for several native bee species are downward. Industrial farming and habitat destruction from suburban development have eliminated large areas of bee habitat. However, agricultural lands can modify routine practices to promote bee habitat. Delaware’s Bee Conservation program is a 3-step process of preservation, protection and provision. Conservation begins with a farm practice assessment and is followed by a commitment to action.

SPARKing Kid’s Imaginations with the American Burying Beetle

Carrie Hawthorne, Rhode Island Zoological Society and Lou Perrotti, Roger Williams Park Zoo

This paper will combine an update on the American Burying Beetle project with an introduction to the new education materials being created for the ABB Species Survival Plan. There are fewer and fewer students with an interest in entomology and field research. Our goal is to help change that by encouraging the use of American Burying Beetle curriculum and activities in school and zoo programs! We will share our experience with taking middle school students from the SPARK program at Brown University into the field for a week of data collection and studying beetles using pitfall traps.

The Use of Service Learning Experiences as a Way of Connecting University Students with Businesses, Conservation and Non Profit Organizations.

Stephen R. Madigosky, Widener University

Service learning is an educational experience in which students, faculty, and designated community partners work together in a well-orchestrated manner to address the specific needs of a community or organization. A carefully designed service project addresses community needs while honing a students’ academic skills and sense of civic responsibility. To this end, students at Widener University have recently participated in several service experiences that have helped develop community resources while building their content knowledge. A review of these projects, their components, and how to establish such relationships will be explored in this session.

Nature’s Partners: Pollinators, Plants and You

Dr. Stephen Buchmann, International Coordinator, Coevolution Institute

The North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC), founded in 1999, is a grassroots non-profit environmental organization with over 100 partner organizations dedicated to the conservation and protection of pollinating animals and the flowering plants they pollinate in North America and Mexico. NAPPC’s educational outreach program created the “Nature’s Partners” pollinator educational curriculum for schools, an inquiry learning-based curriculum for young people grades 3 through 6, which focuses on two major pollinators for teaching basic concepts about the process and importance of pollination, bees, due to their primary importance among pollinators, and butterflies, because of their intrinsic appeal. Materials for students and teachers are free and available for download (www.nappc.org/curriculum/intro.php).

What’s the Buzz?: Developing a New Conservation Initiative for Bumble Bees and Other Native Pollinators at the St Louis Zoo.

Edward Spevak, St Louis Zoo

In early 2008, a new initiative was begun at the St Louis Zoo focusing on Native pollinators, with a major focus on bumblebees. The program is being developed to have both depth and breadth. This paper will discuss a wide variety of projects begun under this program including, a guide to the Bumble Bees of Illinois and Missouri, expansion of the University of Illinois’ BeeSpotter program, Citizen Scientist bumble bee and pollinator surveys, experimental crop pollinator gardens, development of pollinator exhibits, and National Pollinator week programs. Future directions and potential for collaboration with this program will also be discussed.

Establishing Invertebrate Colonies in Response to the Global Amphibian Crisis; Partners in Conservation Responding to a Drastic Decline in Amphibians.

Lou Perrotti, Roger Williams Park Zoo

AZA institutions and conservation organizations are actively sending staff and volunteers to Panama where a fatal fungal disease is wiping out entire populations of frogs. Volunteers and local biologist have begun to set up in country ex-situ amphibian breeding programs. As the numbers of rescued amphibians grow, biologist are spending much of their time capturing hundreds of insects needed to feed the growing numbers of amphibians. With little or no knowledge in invertebrate husbandry my offer to help establish captive insect colonies using local insects and share invertebrate husbandry techniques was eagerly welcomed.

An Overview of the Testing Methods and Prevention of the Parasitizing Neogregarine, Ophryocystis Elektroscirrha, in Monarchs and Queens.

Lary Reeves, Greathouse Butterfly Farm

Diseases and parasites are a major difficulty for anyone involved with insect rearing. One such affliction is the neogregarine parasite of monarchs and queens, Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (Oe). Depending on parasite load, this naturally occurring parasite can significantly reduce fitness and increase mortality of monarchs and queens. Therefore, to those involved with these species, avoiding severe Oe infections and preventing its spread are priorities. In the lab at the Greathouse Butterfly Farm, we have developed standardized protocols for testing and eliminating Oe from monarch and queen butterfly colonies. Here, we will present an overview of our techniques and methods.

Searching for Methuselah: Butterfly Longevity Revisited

Rich Kelson, Butterfly Habitat, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Since a presentation here in 2002, I have continued to accumulate butterfly longevity data at Butterfly Habitat. Longevities for more than 140 species are now documented. At least 32 species can live more than 100 days (formerly only 14 in this category). Theories for variation in longevity between taxa have previously been discussed at this conference. Adult diapause and diel activity patterns are now included as factors impacting longevity.

Butterflies on the Silk Road: The 2008 Butterfly Show at Krohn Conservatory

Andrea Schepmann, Cincinnati Parks Krohn Conservatory

This year’s butterfly show, titled The Silk Road, is a tribute to the art, culture and nature of China. Thousands of butterflies are featured, amidst an incredible display of authentic Chinese art and educational displays. This year the Krohn Conservatory celebrated a very special collaboration with the Chinese community, both near and far. With the cooperative efforts of our sister city Liuzhou, China, and staff at the Long Tan Park, we were able to design a show that celebrates the cultural and artistic gifts of this fascinating part of the world. This presentation will share information about the design process and the challenges of creating a show utilizing many hours of volunteer efforts, both near and far.

Butterfly Farming at El Bosque Nuevo; Part of a Well-rounded, Sustainable Plan for Conservation in Costa Rica.

Mark Deering, Sophia Sachs Butterfly House

Butterfly farms are often thought to be conservation projects in the tropics; unfortunately this is not always the case. This presentation outlines the conservation work undertaken by one butterfly farm, El Bosque Nuevo. The project started at El Bosque Nuevo is far reaching in its’ scope, and long term in length and butterflies are only one aspect of this sustainable plan.

Butterflies as Ambassadors of Nature: Education, Conservation and Marketing Strategies for Butterfly Houses and Releases.

Maria Sabido, Costa Rica Entomological Supply

The allure of the butterfly led to the creation of the butterfly exhibit industry. This paper explores the archetype of the butterfly and its underlying significance for human beings since ancient times. Through awareness to this mostly forgotten understanding of the butterfly, a new paradigm is offered regarding the industry’s educational, marketing and conservation efforts.

Plants and Butterflies, Competitors or Co-operatives?

Ko Veltman, Artis Royal Zoo

Ko Veltman is working at Artis Zoo Butterfly pavilion in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. In this butterfly exhibit there is a close cooperation between the gardeners and the butterfly keepers. The exceptional plant collection and the species of butterflies are chosen with great care, to obtain a well-balanced and attractive all year tropical exhibit.

Natural History and Captive Management of the Leaf-Cutting Ant, Atta cephalotes

Randy C. Morgan, Insectarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

In recent decades, leaf-cutting ants (Atta spp.) have become increasingly important as public educational displays. Understanding the biology and behavior of these ants is crucial to successfully maintaining captive colonies. We then describe a simple system for keeping colonies, basic husbandry, and a long-term public display.

Wild Research with Leaf Cutting Ants (Atta cephalotes): Design and Management of an Observation Colony for the Ultimate Interactive Visitor Experience.

Randy C. Morgan, Insectarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Leaf cutting ants have been displayed at the Insectarium since it first opened 30 years ago. Our exhibit was recently expanded in collaboration with Miami University in Oxford Ohio. Ants now forage through 22 meters of clear tubing to reach a subdivided arena where they have daily choices of plant cuttings. Zoo visitors are actively engaged in science through positive interactive research and play experiences, such as collecting data on plant preference and foraging rates, and participating in family activities demonstrating the value of cooperation and specialization.

A Butterfly or a Roach? Decisions! Decisions!

Jacqueline Genovesi, M.L.A. Academy of Natural Sciences

Why do we use live invertebrates to educate our audiences? Which species will best convey our message? What are the factors that affect learning in our visitors? This talk will look at the theoretical basis for using live animals as educational tools. We will then discuss how we might be able use this new knowledge to guide our practice to increase learning, emotional involvement or conservation action in our visitors.

Using Your Insect Collection in Education Programs

Chris Hartley, The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House

The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House has had great success using our insect collection to connect with and excite students from preschool through 6th grade. Preschoolers participate in butterfly metamorphosis. Elementary students examine preserved caterpillars and chrysalises, make observations of butterfly behaviors, and act out the life cycles of butterflies and plants. Middle school students form and test a hypothesis about the speed of butterfly flight. Some children deepen their love for animals while others experience their first real contact with the natural world, which begins to break down fears about insects.

“I Thought Cockroaches Were Indestructible”

Sarah Moore/Jayke Lee, Pacific Science Center

Many schools mandate volunteer service among students, making teen volunteers easy to recruit, but occasionally poorly motivated. Pacific Science Center’s discovery corps program has found a great way of channeling some of those volunteers into actively mentored internships. Jayke Lee, a member of Discovery Corps, interned in the animal care department, and will outline his efforts to learn more about keeping Madagascar cockroaches (Gromphadorhina portentosa) healthy and happy. Jayke tested two hypotheses – that hand sanitizer would not harm the roaches, and that mites are harmless to the insects. His results brought him school credit, and helped PSC set safe handling procedures for cockroaches.

Rearing of the Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus)

Glennon Frei, Saint Louis Zoo Insectarium

The very colorful Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus) is a wide-ranging native insect, which has the potential of being a valuable display animal. This paper will detail the life history of the insect as well as the various husbandry and exhibition techniques that did, or in some cases, did not work in maintaining a year round population.

Challenges and Rewards of Keeping Bumble Bees

Daniel Koch, Saint Louis Zoo

The paper will spotlight this amazing insect that the St. Louis Zoo’s Insectarium has added to our collection. It will cover the biology and natural history as well as illustrate the challenges involved with the husbandry of Bombus spp. This is all in hopes of maintaining a self-sustaining population with the ultimate goal of a dynamic, educational bumblebee exhibit. Find out what obstacles were encountered and if we succeeded.

Screw Worms Taught Me So Much; MSU's Insect Rearing Workshop

Erin Sullivan, Woodland Park Zoo and Zane Greathouse, Greathouse Butterfly Farm

The authors will report on Mississippi State University's Mass Insect Rearing Workshop. They will share their experiences in Mississippi and how the workshop impacted the rearing programs at their institutions. This is a very thorough workshop that has participants and instructors from Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America. Topics such as insect pathology, insectary design, diets, procedures/protocols, and management will be discussed in terms of how they were taught and then later applied at Woodland Park Zoo and Greathouse Butterfly Farm.

Rearing and Husbandry Methods for Abedus Herberti and Other Belostomatids

Arlo Pelegrin, Oregon State University

Methodology for Successful Captive Rearing and Breeding of the Ferocious Waterbug Abedus Herberti (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae) and Other Giant Waterbugs.