Join 2017 Butterfly Encounter July 15 in Lafayette

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Butterfly enthusiasts of all ages and knowledge levels are invited to visit the Evonik Wildlife Habitat Area in Lafayette on July 15 for a celebration of butterflies and to help measure the area’s butterfly population.

The Butterfly Encounter is sponsored by Evonik Corporation and the Department of Entomology at Purdue University. The family-friendly event celebrates the beauty and diversity of Indiana butterflies. No previous butterfly knowledge is necessary. Everyone from the novice to the expert is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Entomologists will demonstrate how to identify the common butterflies of Indiana. They also will discuss butterfly biology, including the importance of habitat and conservation to endangered species and biodiversity.

“We will compare the 2017 counts of butterflies to counts collected over the last decade,” said Jon Neal, associate professor of entomology and one of the event organizers. “It provides a valuable way to measure habitat quality and the effect of climate on butterfly species. For example, in the really hot year of 2012, counts were especially low.”

Now in its 14th year, the Butterfly Encounter has become a popular annual outing for families throughout Tippecanoe County and surrounding regions. The event begins with a welcome session where participants will learn how to identify different butterfly species. Teams of participants will then fan out through the habitat to record the number and species of butterflies they observe.

“It’s a great opportunity to take a nice walk through the woods and help preserve and protect our very important butterfly population,” Neal said.

The schedule:

* 10:30 - 11 a.m.: Welcome, introductions and a short tutorial

* 11 a.m. -  12:30 p.m.: Break into groups and commence the count

* 12:30 - 1 p.m.: Tabulation of butterfly count results

There will also be children’s activities, including a chance to handle caterpillars.

Butterfly Encounter parking is available at the west gate of Evonik Corporation Tippecanoe Laboratories, 1650 Lilly Road in Lafayette. If coming from the East, go past the main entrance to the west gate. Turn at the first gate on the right and park in this area. Walk south across the road to enter the habitat. Participants will meet at the picnic area.

For more information about the Butterfly Encounter, go to  http://www.entm.purdue.edu/butterflycount/event.html or contact Neal at 765-494-4554, jneal@purdue.edu.

In the event of inclement weather, the event will be cancelled. 

Writer: Darrin Pack, 765-494-8415, dpack@purdue.edu

Source: Jon Neal, 765-494-4554, jneal@purdue.edu

Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-8415;
Shari Finnell, Manager/Media Relations and Public Information, sfinnell@purdue.edu  
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