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NEWSLETTER No. 12 -  Winter 1984/85

WEST MIDLANDS BRANCH, BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

 

Yet More Butterfly Farms

Butterfly farms are obviously popular with members - they must also be popular with the general public if the number of new ones opening is anything to go by. Phillip Hopson reports on two recently opened farms in the West Midlands:


Weston Park (off A5, Weston-under-Lizard, Staffordshire).

Visited 17/6/84 - Entrance fee to Park - £1.50. Same fee (if I remember correctly) to Butterfly House.

Two converted green/hot houses for tropical species (about ten/twelve species were flying). Artificially heated with free-flying imago. Some pupae were on view in cages. Nectar plants were provided and, apart from the obvious heat, photographing was quite possible though the area devoted to tropical species was fairly cramped. The British butterfly section, was of more personal interest to me. This section consisted of a 6000 sq. ft. netted, outside area laid-out in a garden style with pebble walkways for visitors. It is claimed that the British section is the biggest in Europe. I particularly liked the label-tagging of imago and butterfly foodplants - very good idea. Pupae cage provided.
On date visited - Large Tortoiseshell, Monarch, Comma, Black-veined White, Swallowtail, male Brimstone, all flying.
I enjoyed this section particularly, the area was large and the butterflies did not seem unduly restricted in flight areas.
Other insects on display in another hot-house area. The butterfly farm opened in April, 1984.

"Butterfly World" - Yockleton, near Shrewsbury. (B4394 road - Shrewsbury-Montgomery)

Visited 26/6/84 - Entrance fee - £1.50 (adults).

Purpose-built site, opened May 1984.

Main flight area devoted to tropical species. Large area with nectar plants everywhere - the scent from these plants greets the visitor. Photography easy as the area is large. Again, I was really interested in British species. This area was next to the tropical area and was only small. The resident entomologist explained that the British section will probably be extended later, (hopefully so, as what I saw on an overcast day, was disappointing).

Back in the tropical section, I did manage to see Comma, Red Admiral, Peacock, Large Tortoiseshell, Swallowtail, Monarch and Marbled White.

I watched Swallowtail ovipositing on plastic mesh protecting pupae cages.
The Entomologist, Steve Mason, breeds at Yockleton, (butterflies of course) and was very knowledgeable and helpful.

The centre also boasts a gift shop, picnic/play area, waterfowl exhibition and refreshments. Other live insects on display included scorpions, tarantulas and stick insects.

On the date visited was expecting imago emergences from Purple Emperor pupae.