Flying fairies:
There are 157 species of butterflies recorded in the park, about 60% of the total number of species in Hong Kong.
Flying fairies:
There are 157 species of butterflies recorded in the park, about 60% of the total number of species in Hong Kong.
Wildlife Watch:
Visitors to Hong Kong Wetland Park can see a variety of butterflies in wild.
Wildlife Watch:
Visitors to Hong Kong Wetland Park can see a variety of butterflies in wild.
Photo op:
"The Flying Beauties" exhibition attracts photographers and insect lovers.
Photo op:
"The Flying Beauties" exhibition attracts photographers and insect lovers.
Home sweet home:
Wetland Park Manager (Education & Community Services) Josephine Cheng says the Park has abundant nectar and larval food plants to create the perfect butterfly habitat.
Home sweet home:
Wetland Park Manager (Education & Community Services) Josephine Cheng says the Park has abundant nectar and larval food plants to create the perfect butterfly habitat.
Expert educators:
Guided tours are provided in the Park to teach participants about common species in Hong Kong.
Expert educators:
Guided tours are provided in the Park to teach participants about common species in Hong Kong.
Wetland Park spotlights butterflies
April 28, 2013
With their fantastic colors and fanciful wings, butterflies are one of nature’s most enticing creatures for photographers and insect lovers.
"The Flying Beauties" exhibition is now open at Hong Kong Wetland Park, featuring the most common butterfly species in Hong Kong and specimens from around the world. Visitors can learn more about butterfly anatomy, life cycle, survival strategies and courtship behaviour. The park will host related activities, aimed at enhancing awareness of butterfly conservation.
Wetland Park Manager (Education & Community Services) Josephine Cheng said Wetland Park's Butterfly Garden offers an ideal habitat for butterflies and is a great spot for butterfly watching. The park has abundant nectar and larval food plants, and recorded 157 species – about 60% of the total number of butterfly species in Hong Kong. Showcases also offer visitors a rare opportunity to get close-up and observe caterpillars feeding on young leaves.
Survival strategies
More than 500 specimens help illustrate a butterfly’s life cycle in the park’s scenic models, including living, eating and mating habits.
To avoid predators such as birds, butterflies have special strategies.
“Some butterflies can pretend to be some similar but poisonous species, with colorful patterns on their wings, to avoid having their predators eat them, while some other species pretend to be a leaf so that they can hide themselves in the natural environment,” Miss Cheng said.
Special events
Wetland Park is presenting the exhibition from April to October 28. Butterfly specialists will share their knowledge and tips, including techniques for identifying and photographing them, in lectures to be held during the exhibition period. Speakers will also share worldwide hotspots for butterfly watching and the importance of butterfly conservation.
Guided tours will teach participants about common species in Hong Kong. The park is also organising a photo collection activity, playgroups and a butterfly cotton bag-making class. For details, visit the park’s
website.
