exhibit & display of chrysalises

Jsbtfly at aol.com Jsbtfly at aol.com
Mon May 3 07:11:13 EDT 1999


I recently visited a local conservatory that has an ongoing butterfly 
display. A caretaker informed me that they receive a variety of chrysalises 
each week from 3 different farms in Florida. The pupae are then attached to 
strips of foam and displayed in a glass-fronted "condo" until the butterflies 
emerge. She mentioned that right now, they are attaching each pupa to the 
foam strips using a hot glue gun. While they take care to expose the pupae to 
as little contact with the hot glue, she said there is considerable movement 
from the pupae for a minute or 2 after each one is attached and that they are 
experimenting with alternative ways to attach the pupae to strips.

Can anyone comment on whether this practice is indeed harmful in any way to 
the pupae? Also, any suggestions for alternative ways to attach the pupae?

J. Smith


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