Butterflies have a well-known reputation for their beauty but also act as pollinators for some plants and trees and serve as a food source for certain animals. Importantly from a scientific point of view, the presence or absence of wild butterflies provides a key indicator in terms of the health of local ecosystems.

Researching changes in butterfly species diversity, lifecycles and population densities will provide comparative information to help measure the impact of different human activities on these ecosystems. As butterflies are sensitive to changes in their surroundings they can potentially be used as an early warning system for declining biodiversity.

The Butterfly House at the MLC will provide scientists and volunteers with a controlled area in which to study local species. Not only will this knowledge be used to facilitate field research but also some levels of data detail are inherently difficult to collect in the field, especially if the target subject is prone to flying away! The Butterfly House will also provide an additional subject of study for the CREES Ecology Club.

In addition to the research and education elements of the project, CREES will be looking at the long term potential of butterfly farms as part of a sustainable micro enterprise solution for local communities. In essence the concept of these farms would be to breed selective species for export to butterfly houses and research centres around the world.

Stage 1: Background Research
Identification of butterfly species in the Fundo Mascoitania area, together with the plant species that they are most commonly attracted to as a food source, will provide the information required in order to design the components of the Butterfly House.

Stage 2: Butterfly House Design & Construction
A suitable location will be selected within the gardens of the MLC to replicate the ideal habitat conditions for butterflies within an enclosed space. The location will be shielded from the wind and provide sunlight for butterflies to bask in.

Stage 3: Collection of Samples
Eggs, larva and pupa will be collected from around Fundo Mascoitania and transported to the newly constructed Butterfly House together with dentified food sources.

Stage 4: Development & Coalition of Data
Species will be monitored within the Butterfly House and data recorded in relation to butterfly lifecycles and feeding habits. An index of butterfly species found in Fundo Mascoitania will be compiled and a card index for species identification in the field will be created.

Stage 5: Development of Micro Enterprise Model
The development of a micro enterprise model will take place once expertise of local species and their habitat requirements has reached a satisfactory level.

• Education in or experience relating to lepidoptery
• Bachelors in Ecology or Biology
• English / Spanish Languages
  

Click here to learn more about the application process for Resident Naturalists.

Volunteers can assist the Project Manager and Resident Naturalists in all stages of the Butterfly House Project.

In the event that volunteers have skills that are specifically applicable to the project, the Project Manager will seek to apply them appropriately.

There are a number of tasks involved in most elements of the Butterfly House Project that volunteers can get involved in regardless of prior knowledge and experience.

Necessary training and supervision is provided.

Involvement in the project as a volunteer is subject to the statutory one-month minimum stay at the MLC. (Which incidentally works out nicely considering that the average lifespan of a butterfly is 2-3 weeks.)

Click here to learn more about how to volunteer.