Butterfly Kingdom - Education

Jaret C. Daniels, Ph.D, Seminars

Topic: Butterflies of the Southeast

Description: A brief introduction to butterfly biology, life history and behavior followed by a detailed overview of common butterfly species found throughout the Deep South. Information provided on adult and larval identification, habitat preferences, flight time, adult nectar sources and larval host plants.

Audience: Adults, teachers, nature and garden groups

Topic: Butterflies of South Carolina

Description: A brief introduction to butterfly biology, life history and behavior followed by a detailed overview of South Carolina’s common butterfly species. Information provided on adult and larval identification, habitat preferences, flight time, adult nectar sources and larval host plants.

Audience: Adults, teachers, nature and garden groups

Topic: Butterfly Gardening Basics

Description: A general overview of the steps needed to start and maintain a successful butterfly garden. Information provided on butterfly life history, several common local butterfly species, key garden components, plant choice, design, and maintenance.

Audience: Adults, teachers, nurseries, nature and garden groups (Introductory level)

Topic: Advanced Butterfly Gardening

Description: Detailed overview of creating a successful butterfly garden. Covers butterfly biology, key garden components, native plant use, nectar & host plant choice, site preparation, design, planting, maintenance, natural pest management, & enjoyment.

Audience: Adults, teachers, nurseries, nature and garden groups (Advanced level) Can be given as a series with Butterfly Gardening Basics.

Topic: Schoolyard Butterfly Gardening

Description: A general introduction to creating an attractive and educational garden for butterflies and other insects. Information provided on butterfly biology, life history and behavior, plant choice, design, maintenance, adult nectar sources, larval host plants, rearing, and garden related activities.

Audience: Most school classes, teachers

Topic: Butterfly Conservation

Description: An overview of several butterfly conservation projects, their status, overall success and impact. Species highlighted include the Schaus Swallowtail (Papilio aristodemus ponceanus), Jamaican Giant Swallowtail (Papilio homerus), Bartram’s Hairstreak (Strymon acis bartrami), Sweadner’s Hairstreak (Mitoura sweadneri), Atala Eumaeus atala) and the Florida Leafwing (Anaea floridalis). Program can be geared toward an individual species, several species or an overview of all species’ stories.

Audience: Adults, nature groups

Topic: Beneficial Insects in the Garden

Description: A general introduction to our insect allies. Information provided on general identification, garden impact, pest species attacked, attraction and maintenance, and augmentation.

Audience: Adults, garden clubs, teachers

Topic: Butterfly Biology, Behavior and Diversity

Description: A general introduction to butterfly structure, development, life history, seasonal adaptations, abundance, diversity, defensive strategies, and behavior

Audience: Adults, a school version is targeted for 6th grade or above

Topic: Butterflies and Moths

Description: An introductory program for children ages K thru 5th grade about butterflies. Topics include what are butterflies, basic butterfly structure, why butterflies are important, butterfly life cycle, the difference between butterflies and moths, and butterfly behavior. Caterpillars are introduced.

Audience: Targeted for 1st through 3rd grades

Topic: Butterflies in the Field

Description: A guided Nature Tour to view butterflies in their natural environment. Information provided on species identification, behavior, general biology and life history.

Audience: Can be geared for adults or children, nature groups; 1 ½ - 2 hrs.

Topic: Insects in the Field

Description: A guided Nature Tour to view insects in their natural environment. Information provided on identification, behavior, general biology, and field collection.

Audience: School groups, most appropriate for 5th through 8th curricula; 1 ½ - 2 hrs.

Topic: Seasonal Ecology of Butterflies

Description: An introduction of various behavioral and physiological adaptations developed by butterflies to cope with seasonal change. Topics include diapause, migration, polyphenism and the environmental factors controlling them.

Audience: Adults, teachers, nature groups

Topic: Rain Forests

Description: The critical importance of tropical rain forests is introduced and why there is great concern for the tremendous loss of biological diversity that is occurring. The structure of the rain forest is described, stories of plant and animal lives are given, and some interactions of people with the forest are discussed.

Audience: Adult, teacher, nature groups and most grade levels

Topic: Local Flora

Description: Learn to identify a variety of common roadside plants and why we should care about conserving our native species. Specific attention is given to those important for attracting wildlife. Basic plant structures, seasonality, and habitat preferences are discussed.

Audience: Adults, teachers, nature groups and grades 6 and above




Jaret C. Daniels, Ph.D, Seminars Topic: Butterflies of the Southeast Description: A brief introduction to butterfly biology, life history and behavior followed by a detailed overview of common butterfly species found throughout the Deep South. Information provided on adult and larval identification, habitat preferences, flight time, adult nectar sources and larval host plants. Audience: Adults, teachers, nature and garden groups Topic: Butterflies of South Carolina Description: A brief introduction to butterfly biology, life history and behavior followed by a detailed overview of South Carolina’s common butterfly species. Information provided on adult and larval identification, habitat preferences, flight time, adult nectar sources and larval host plants. Audience: Adults, teachers, nature and garden groups Topic: Butterfly Gardening Basics Description: A general overview of the steps needed to start and maintain a successful butterfly garden. Information provided on butterfly life history, several common local butterfly species, key garden components, plant choice, design, and maintenance. Audience: Adults, teachers, nurseries, nature and garden groups (Introductory level) Topic: Advanced Butterfly Gardening Description: Detailed overview of creating a successful butterfly garden. Covers butterfly biology, key garden components, native plant use, nectar & host plant choice, site preparation, design, planting, maintenance, natural pest management, & enjoyment. Audience: Adults, teachers, nurseries, nature and garden groups (Advanced level) Can be given as a series with Butterfly Gardening Basics. Topic: Schoolyard Butterfly Gardening Description: A general introduction to creating an attractive and educational garden for butterflies and other insects. Information provided on butterfly biology, life history and behavior, plant choice, design, maintenance, adult nectar sources, larval host plants, rearing, and garden related activities. Audience: Most school classes, teachers Topic: Butterfly Conservation Description: An overview of several butterfly conservation projects, their status, overall success and impact. Species highlighted include the Schaus Swallowtail (Papilio aristodemus ponceanus), Jamaican Giant Swallowtail (Papilio homerus), Bartram’s Hairstreak (Strymon acis bartrami), Sweadner’s Hairstreak (Mitoura sweadneri), Atala Eumaeus atala) and the Florida Leafwing (Anaea floridalis). Program can be geared toward an individual species, several species or an overview of all species’ stories. Audience: Adults, nature groups Topic: Beneficial Insects in the Garden Description: A general introduction to our insect allies. Information provided on general identification, garden impact, pest species attacked, attraction and maintenance, and augmentation. Audience: Adults, garden clubs, teachers Topic: Butterfly Biology, Behavior and Diversity Description: A general introduction to butterfly structure, development, life history, seasonal adaptations, abundance, diversity, defensive strategies, and behavior Audience: Adults, a school version is targeted for 6th grade or above Topic: Butterflies and Moths Description: An introductory program for children ages K thru 5th grade about butterflies. Topics include what are butterflies, basic butterfly structure, why butterflies are important, butterfly life cycle, the difference between butterflies and moths, and butterfly behavior. Caterpillars are introduced. Audience: Targeted for 1st through 3rd grades Topic: Butterflies in the Field Description: A guided Nature Tour to view butterflies in their natural environment. Information provided on species identification, behavior, general biology and life history. Audience: Can be geared for adults or children, nature groups; 1 ½ - 2 hrs. Topic: Insects in the Field Description: A guided Nature Tour to view insects in their natural environment. Information provided on identification, behavior, general biology, and field collection. Audience: School groups, most appropriate for 5th through 8th curricula; 1 ½ - 2 hrs. Topic: Seasonal Ecology of Butterflies Description: An introduction of various behavioral and physiological adaptations developed by butterflies to cope with seasonal change. Topics include diapause, migration, polyphenism and the environmental factors controlling them. Audience: Adults, teachers, nature groups Topic: Rain Forests Description: The critical importance of tropical rain forests is introduced and why there is great concern for the tremendous loss of biological diversity that is occurring. The structure of the rain forest is described, stories of plant and animal lives are given, and some interactions of people with the forest are discussed. Audience: Adult, teacher, nature groups and most grade levels Topic: Local Flora Description: Learn to identify a variety of common roadside plants and why we should care about conserving our native species. Specific attention is given to those important for attracting wildlife. Basic plant structures, seasonality, and habitat preferences are discussed. Audience: Adults, teachers, nature groups and grades 6 and above		Learn more about our utility transmission rights-of-way wildlife corridor establishment and monitoring project. Spark your interest...