DATE: 8/20/04                                                                                                   CONTACT: Joe Culin, (864) 656-5041                                                                            WRITER: Diane Palmer, (864) 656-4741

Kids can tour butterfly house at Clemson University

CLEMSON – Kids, would you like to learn more about butterflies?

Clemson University’s Department of Entomology, Soils, and Plant Sciences is inviting groups from kindergarten to the 8 th grade to tour the Butterfly House near the Clemson University campus.

The house is a butterfly garden enclosed in a 30’x30’ screened structure. It contains plants that provide nectar for butterflies or food for their caterpillars.

There are also a waterfall, stream and pond containing a variety of aquatic plants. The area provides a home for frogs, lizards, spiders, mosquito fish and crickets.

Tour guides will discuss the butterfly species that are present, their relationship to their nectar and caterpillar food plants, and their life cycles. Caterpillars of several species will be available to examine.

An outdoor area next to the house contains a variety of butterfly bush lantana and passionvine.

Visitors can see how flowers use color to attract butterflies. The tour lasts 30-40 minutes and may be scheduled between Aug. 15 and Sept. 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Space limitations restrict groups to no more than 30 students. There must be one adult for each 10 students.

Reservations are required. A $1 per student donation is requested to cover operating costs. Contact Joe Culin at jculin@clemson.edu, (864) 656-5041 or go to: http://entweb.clemson.edu/buttrfly/INDEX.HTM .

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