infonews.co.nz
INDEX
CONSERVATION

Butterflies Conference proving to be a hit

Monday 28 January 2013, 4:53PM

By Jacqui Knight

771 views

 

Sir David Attenborough LIFE series recently on TVNZ can no doubt be blamed for the resurgence of interest in invertebrate fauna – but whatever the reason, people are talking excitedly about the Butterflies Conference to be held at Auckland’s Unitec on 16 and 17 March.

“I believe we’ve gathered the very best of speakers from this country as well as Australia and the USA,” said Jacqui Knight, part of the conference organising team. “For example, renowned lepidopterist Brian Patrick will identify New Zealand species – there’s not much he doesn’t know about NZ’s Lepidoptera.”
Geoff Davidson, founder of Oratia Native Plant Nursery, will speak on native plants for native butterflies and moths, and Queensland’s Professor Myron Zalucki will detail exactly what goes on in the milkweed patch, sustainable Monarch butterfly habitat.

Keynote speaker Associate Professor David G James comes from the north-west USA where he is instrumental in creating sustainable habitat in leading vineyards, reducing the need for chemical pesticide use.

“Butterfly and moth caterpillars make great food for birds and other wildlife so they should be an important part of any habitat restoration,” said Jacqui.

Auckland photographer John Chapman is to provide tips on getting the best photographs of butterflies, insects and flowers, whether it be to help identify species or share them with friends and family. Talented horticulturist Joanne Alder will demonstrate how to get more of those special butterfly nectar plants for free.

Madam Butterfly will give twenty tips on designing butterfly habitat for butterflies and day-flying moths, and radio identity Graeme Hill will share his experience on rearing beautiful Admirals - fast disappearing from our landscape.

But that's not all!

There's plenty more to enjoy. The programme, poster and registration form is on the website of the Monarch Butterfly New Zealand Trust, http://www.monarch.org.nz/monarch/projects/conference-2013/

Earlybird registration: $120 per person, closes 31 January; registration: $140 per person, closes 28 February  and late registration will be $160 per person depending on space.

This event is the first of its kind to ever be held in Auckland and is proving very popular.
341 words

For more information, photographs etc: Jacqui Knight, phone 09 551 3383 or 027 481 4811.