Butterflies, their importance in the ecosystem

A space to connect with Panama’s native butterflies and learn about their importance in the ecosystem is what “La casa de Domo” will offer you.

The housing that was ceremonially opened a few days ago in Summit City Park and which has 20 species of butterflies native to Panama. These species were mostly produced by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.

Among the species are heliconias which are black with Red and white, sometimes yellow and blue, they are different species of tropical butterflies, biologist Angie Estrada, administrator Summit City Park.

There are also morpho butterflies which are very glistening because of its bright blue colors.

Estrada shared that he diversity of butterflies will change throughout the year, “we will produce our butterflies, it depends on how they adapt to the environmental conditions we currently have in the park, which are very hot and very humid.”

For this reason, when you go to the park at different times of the year you will see different species or types of butterflies.

Importance

What is the importance of butterflies? It is necessary to people understand that many insects, despite being feared, “provide us with important ecosystem or environmental services, such as pollination. Butterflies and moths are examples of some of them. Pollination is one of their services.”

The butterfly garden opened in Summit Park is a dome with a diameter of 18 meters and a height of 9 meters, which is built from light materials. The structure is covered with a carp net that protects not only the plants inside from rain and sun, but also the butterflies.

In addition, “they are food for many wild species like birds, iguanas, lizards and spiders. They can be food for others,” the expert explained.

affectation

How does a human being affect the species? One of the things that not only affects butterflies and pollinators, but also many other animals and plants, the problem is the loss of habitat, “this loss and destruction is one of the biggest threats to the planet’s biodiversity, because if we eliminate the places where they naturally live, many species will disappear”.

In the case of pollinators such as butterflies, the second most important reason for their disappearance or the problem facing their natural populations is the disproportionate use of chemicals in agriculture.

“We spray insecticides on the crops vegetables and that chemical kills good insects that provide us with some service. So, this irrational use of chemical products will have great consequences on the availability of pollinators for us,” he repeated.

Life period

The biologist said that it will depend more than anything else types, for example, such as heliconia“that their entire period of metamorphosis, their period from egg to butterfly lasts several weeks, but the same adult butterfly lives several months.”

It depends on the species more than anything. In addition, environmental factors, if there are none food availability, if there is a lot of heat, it affects it. But, mostly internally, it’s the biology of the animal, he said.

restrictions and more

The inaugurated butterfly garden is an 18-meter high dome diameter 9 height It is made of light materials. The structure is covered with a carp net that protects not only the plants inside from rain and sun, but also the butterflies.

Estrada reported that visitors should not touch the plants or the butterflies, “they have scales on their wings, they can break and if they touch them they can lose their ability to fly.”

IN “House Dome” there are flowers that butterflies feed on, and there is additional food such as decaying fruit. “They should not eat lollipops, sweets or popcorn,” he warned.