SEE VIDEO http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/09/28/12th-annual-butterfly-show-set-to-kick-off
From science geeks to Girl Scouts, large crowds will be admiring insects when Carleton University’s 12th annual live butterfly show kicks off Saturday.
“It’s something about seeing them free, it’s just very appealing,” said biology student Amanda Lindeman, 25, who’s working toward her PhD.
More than 11,000 people attended last year.
“It’s free, it’s educational, it’s fun,” said greenhouse manager Ed Bruggink.
About 1,300 butterflies representing 41 different species worldwide are featured in the 10-day event.
The main supplier is in England but this year, there’s another source from the U.S.
“We have some very interesting African species coming in,” said Bruggink.
“I’m very excited about that.”
And insect fanatics just can’t get enough of “the variety, the colours, the sizes, the way they move. And they’re so delicate. They’re harmless, they’re just beautiful creatures,” said Bruggink.
Laura McMillan is a second-year graduate student and says studying butterflies is fascinating.
“And you get to travel to tropical places, which is nice,” she said.
At the event, a lot can be learned in one hour.
“You can see mating rituals in here, actually, because they’re free-flying. If you’re lucky, you can see some of that,” said McMillan.
“You can learn about their display behaviours, what they use their colours for, and things like that.”
The show runs Oct. 1 to 10 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the Nesbitt Biology Building.
Donations are welcome.
“It’s a really nice event for Thanksgiving weekend,” said McMillan.
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