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No experience necessary: Butterfly counters wanted

Purdue News
By Jennifer Cummins
July 3, 2008

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University's entomology department and Eli Lilly and Co. are inviting butterfly enthusiasts of all ages to the Tippecanoe County Butterfly Field Day on July 19.

This free event allows participants to observe butterfly behaviors and to witness the many species of butterflies present at the Eli Lilly and Co. Tippecanoe Laboratories' Wildlife Habitat Recreation Area in Lafayette.

"The Butterfly Field Day is a family-friendly event that celebrates the beauty and diversity of Indiana butterflies," said Melissa Shepson, Purdue entomology outreach coordinator. "No previous butterfly knowledge is necessary - everyone from the novice to the expert is welcome."

Entomologists will be on hand to discuss various species, answer questions and provide information on ways to recreate butterfly-friendly habitats in home gardens.

A question-and-answer session and butterfly identification training will begin at 1 p.m. From 2- 4:30 p.m. participants may walk the habitat and observe the butterflies, and at 5 p.m. a picnic dinner will be served, compliments of Eli Lilly and Co.

"Our goal is to encourage an appreciation by the community for both the butterflies of Indiana and the habitats in which they live," Shepson said.

While the event is free of charge, participants are asked to RSVP for the picnic dinner by July 14 to Sarah Wolf at Eli Lilly's Tippecanoe Laboratory at (765) 477-4424 or wolfsa@lilly.com.

Butterfly Field Day parking will be available next to the baseball diamond south of Eli Lilly's main entrance at 1650 Lilly Road. A rain date has been scheduled for July 20 at the same time.

For information, contact Shepson at (765) 494-0997, mshepson@purdue.edu.

 

Writer: Jennifer Cummins, (765) 494-6682, cumminsjs@purdue.edu

Source: Melissa Shepson, (765) 494-0997, mshepson@purdue.edu

Related Web site:
Butterfly Count Home Page: http://www.entm.purdue.edu/butterflycount/