Enter a magical
environment all aflutter with exotic tropical butterflies in “Flutter Zone,” a special
walk-through encounter that will be open at The Maritime
Aquarium at Norwalk through September 7.
“Flutter Zone” features dozens of varieties of exotic
tropical butterflies from Asia, Africa and South America, all free-flying among
Aquarium visitors. In ‘Flutter Zone,’ you walk among all these beautiful butterflies
and some of them may even choose to land on your head or arm. It’s
one thing to see animals. But, as also with the Aquarium's popular ‘Jiggle A Jelly’ exhibit,
there’s an emotion involved, a commitment stirred, by physical connections –
even with creatures as delicate as butterflies and jellyfish.
Visitors to “Flutter Zone” also can watch the life cycle of
butterflies unfold, in a special section featuring the chrysalises whose
metamorphoses will keep the exhibit stocked with flittering butterflies
throughout the summer.
Displays also emphasize the horticultural and agricultural
importance of butterflies and other pollinators.
Adjacent to “Flutter Zone” along the Norwalk River, The
Maritime Aquarium is growing a “pollinators’ garden” filled with flowering
plants that native butterflies specifically seek for food and egg-laying. Among
these plants is milkweed. Monarch butterflies lay their eggs exclusively on
milkweed, and their caterpillars feed exclusively on the plant. Recently,
however, monarch populations have declined as property owners cut milkweed or
spray it with pesticides. The Maritime Aquarium’s milkweed garden will be a certified
monarch waystation designated by www.MonarchWatch.org.
Entry into “Flutter Zone” is free with Aquarium admission. For
visitors with an aversion to possible contact with live animals, viewing of the
butterflies is possible from outside the exhibit.
No comments:
Post a Comment