Nature’s Flying Canvases

Posted on 21 February 2012

Science Spotlight

These butterflies Papilio memnon “Great Mormon” (top), from southern Asia, and Papilio ophidicephalus “Emperor Swallowtail,” from South Africa, appear in the flicker photo set “Nature’s Flying Canvases” from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. These and other living butterflies can be encountered in the museum’s live butterfly exhibit “Butterflies + Plants: Partners in Evolution” in Washington, D.C.

Related posts:

  1. A dry spring in Panama means more sulfur butterflies, study reveals
  2. An eye gene colors butterfly wings red
  3. Only large, fast-flying bats can handle life in the big city; small bats can’t adapt

Meet our Scientists—Videos!

Science Spotlight

Scientists from the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center have found that fledgling catbirds living in the suburbs are extremely vulnerable. Almost 80 percent are killed by predators before they reach adulthood. Nearly half of the deaths are connected to domestic cats. The team studied catbird nests in 3 suburban neighborhoods in Maryland: Spring Park, Opal Daniels Park, and Bethesda. Learn more about this 2011 study by clicking here. (Catbird photo by Gerhard Hofmann)

Science Spotlight Archives