Museum of Life and Science
433 Murray Avenue, PO Box 15190
Durham, NC 27704
919-220-5429, Fax 919-220-5575
Durham, NC - Spirits will soar
when Magic Wings Butterfly House opens its doors at the Museum of Life
and Science. The first in its region, the three-story-high Tropical Butterfly
Conservatory will bring the rare and enchanting butterfly species of Asia,
Africa, and Central and South America to the heart of the Triangle.
Visitors to Magic Wings will find a tropical paradise. With flight permits for 200 species, Magic Wings will house approximately 1,000 butterflies at any given time, such as the iridescent Blue Morpho (Morpho menelaus) from Central and South America, the lovely Paper Kite (Idea leuconoe) from Asia, and the Flame-bordered Charaxes (Charaxes protoclea) from Africa.
"The recent growth of butterfly houses throughout the United States and the world signifies the immense popularity of butterflies," says Museum President and CEO Dr. Thomas Krakauer. "Magic Wings is the newest butterfly house to provide a journey into nature's tropical ecosystems."
Four Tropical Habitats Create One-Of-A-Kind Experience
Beds of exotic flowers, a flowering meadow, tropical fruit trees in a
rainforest area, and a stream garden will flourish within the Tropical
Butterfly Conservatory. Exotic tropical flowers, like the Firebush, will
provide important nutrients to sustain the insects. The Red Orchid Tree, of
which only 50 exist in the world, and the carnivorous tropical pitcher plants
are other examples of the vibrant vegetation. A stream will flow through the
center of the Conservatory, lined with tropical fruit trees such as Papaya and
the fragrant Frangi Panni. The rainforest area will showcase plants of economic
importance, like the Coffee plant, Cacoa (the natural source of chocolate), and
the Vanilla Orchid.
"Magic Wings will be distinguished by its commitment to programming and education," says Museum President and CEO Dr. Thomas Krakauer. An on-site Learning Lab will serve as a classroom for students and adult workshops and will help stimulate the understanding of adaptation, genetics, and botany. A Museum interpreter will be available at all times to answer questions about butterfly gardening and life cycles, that is the four stages of butterfly development: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult.
Butterfly houses are considered one of "the most complex of all exhibits to operate and maintain." The average adult butterfly's life lasts only two to four weeks. In order to maintain the desired population, the museum will receive regular shipments of chrysalises (the butterfly "cocoon") from butterfly farms in Malaysia, Kenya, Costa Rica, Belize, Peru, Ecuador, and Philippines. The Museum will order shipments of these chrysalises weekly, a process that is closely regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The difficulty for the entomologist is to create the aesthetically pleasing for visitors. The constant temperature close to 80 degrees Fahrenheit with 80 percent humidity assures that Magic Wings is comfortably warm in the winter and refreshing in the summer.
Highlights
Butterfly farming is a multi-million dollar industry that provides a profitable
alternative to rainforest deforestation. The F.M. Kirby Foundation Biodiversity
Exhibit about butterfly farming in Kenya, Africa will begin the self-guided
tour of Magic Wings.
Visitors will witness the natural phenomena of butterflies emerging from their chrysalises at the Mary Martha Uzzle Emerging Wonders Room. Airconditioned benches scattered throughout will invite the visitor to relax and reflect, paint, or take a photo.
During the summer months, the Carolina Butterfly Pavilion will be open with hundreds of butterflies native to North America. The Carolina Butterfly Pavilion will give visitors the opportunity to see these native butterflies in flight and to learn about a popular pastime -- butterfly gardening. Interpreters will offer tips for attracting butterflies. Species will include Zebra Swallowtails, Monarchs, Gulf Fritillaries, Zebra Longwings, and moths among others.
Visitor Ammenities and Building Parameters
A visit to the hands-on science and technology Museum is currently a three to
five hour experience for most first time visitors. With the addition of
Magic Wings, visitors can expect to spend a full day at the Museum.
Visitor ammenities -- the Caterpillar Café and Tree Top Shop -- will
make a full day visit pleasant. The captivating beauty of Magic Wings'
Tropical Butterfly Conservatory will also be available as a rental option.
The Magic Wings building and Tropical Butterfly Conservatory is designed by O'brien/Atkins. Magic Wings will be a 18,000-square-foot building containing the three-story-high Tropical Conservatory (5,000 square feet), Carolina Butterfly Pavilion (2,400 square feet), Gift Shop, Learning Lab, and Insectarium (opening in Spring 2000). The Tropical Butterfly Conservatory consists of 9,500 square feet of glass.
Magic Wings Butterfly House will complete the first phase of BioQuest, a $15 million, 40-acre expansion project to bring interactive exhibits, animals, and nature together. The Museum of Life and Science is a private 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation and will fund BioQuest as a public-private partnership. Over $8 million has been raised, through a combination of sources including a $3.5 million City of Durham bond referendum, overwhelmingly approved in November, 1996, plus private contributions and in-kind facilities donations.
BioQuest is designed to bring interactive exhibits, people, animals and nature together. BioQuest was described by the National Science Foundation as a "national model" for zoos, botanical gardens, and museums. Through funding provided by the National Science Foundation, the Museum is partnering with other institutions -- the U.S. National Zoo, Austin Nature Center, and Indianapolis Zoo -- for exhibit design and testing.
Opening Spring 2000 Rhône-Poulenc
Centennial Insectarium and Learning Lab
A special feature at Magic Wings will be the interactive
Rhône-Poulenc Centennial Insectarium, which will present a rare
assortment of insects. Exotic species from around the world such as the
Egyptian mosquito, South American centipede, African scorpion, Queensland Titan
will make this one of the best places in the Southeast to gain an appreciation
of natural life cycles.
The Museum of Life and Science is a private non-profit regional
science-technology center dedicated to providing informal science education for
people of all ages. The Museum is open 10am to 5pm, Monday through Saturday,
and on Sundays from noon to 5pm. General Museum admission is $6 for adults, $4
for children ages 3-12 and seniors, and free to ages 2 and younger. General
admission will increase when Magic Wings opens; the price will cover a
visit to Magic Wings and the Museum (indoors and the outdoor nature
park). Admission will be $8 for adults; $5.50 for children ages 3-12; $7 for
seniors over 65 and free to ages 2 and younger.