Reiman Gardens - Nathan's Notes

December 15, 2007

The Black and White Helen (Papilio nephelus) is one of the enchanting swallowtails found in the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing from time to time.  As is the case in many swallowtails, the Black and White Helen is a rather large butterfly.  Despite its large size, the Black and White Helen is a very active and mesmerizing butterfly when observed in flight.  The Black and White Helen is one of those butterflies that would be hard to overlook while visiting the butterfly wing, primarily due to the large white spot found on each of their hind wings, which are in stark contrast to the deep black found across the rest of the butterfly.  As the Black and White Helen goes from flower to flower looking for nectar they stay in constant movement flashing the large white spots on their hind wings.  Native to Southeast Asia, this beautiful butterfly is worth looking for on your next visit to the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing.

November 15, 2007

Visitors to the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing over the next few weeks should keep an eye out for the Great Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina). Native to Southeast Asia and Australia, this medium-sized butterfly is known for being a strong flier, even enduring long migratory flights. This active butterfly is also sexually dimorphic, which means the female form and male form look drastically different. In this particular case, the males are considered to be the prettier form, with their single large white spot, found on each wing, surrounded by a brilliant iridescent purple color visible only at certain angles. Within the Butterfly Wing these males can be seen exhibiting very strong territorial behavior as you will often see 3 or 4 males chasing each other in an attempt to defend their favorite perch. The male Great Eggfly adds another level of enjoyment to visitors since they tend to land on people within their patrol range, but only when standing still. Within the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing, the Great Eggfly can most often be seen near the second bench usually on the Coral Vine (Antigonon leptopus).

October 15, 2007

If you are able to visit the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing through the end of this month you will have an excellent opportunity to see the Tailed Jay (Graphium agamemnon) in flight. The Tailed Jay is one of the butterflies we typically have in the Wing and is quite spectacular for the visitor to see. This native of Malaysia is known by several common names, such as the Great Jay, Green-spotted Triangle, Tailed Green Jay and the Tailed Jay.

No matter what you call this butterfly, there is a significant and stunning change in its appearance when its wings are open from when they are closed. It is checkered black and florescent green on the inside of its wings and it displays pink and light green colors on the outside. The Tailed Jays can often be seen visiting several of the nectar plants as they go through their regular day. The Tailed Jays rarely stop flapping their wings while feeding, so most observation of this amazing butterfly are taken while they rest--with their wings open or closed--on the lush foliage found in the Butterfly Wing.

September 14, 2007

August 15, 2007

Over the next couple of weeks we will have a bit of royalty in the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing. Ok, so they are not really royalty but the Archduke Butterfly (Lexias dirtea) will be in the butterfly wing for visitors to see. The Archduke is a good butterfly for photographers because when they are at rest they almost always sit with their wings open. The males and females are sexually dimorphic, which means the two sexes look different from one another, but both forms are very impressive and worth a visit to the gardens to see in person.