Trailside Naturalist – Butterfly Abundance, Richness and Diversity – Gateway Trailhead

Trailside Naturalist – Butterfly Abundance, Richness, and Diversity – Gateway Trailhead

Find out all about the many species of butterflies that live in the Preserve. The Sonoran Desert is a haven for butterflies like Pipevines, Sulphers and Skippers. The Sonoran Desert is home to over 250 species of butterflies and nearly 25% of these can be found in the Preserve.  The  Conservancy has documented 59 of these species in the Preserve during annual spring and fall butterfly counts. Butterflies are important pollinators and good indicators of the ecological quality of the desert in which we live.  They are also beautiful bursts of color that miraculously metamorphize from egg to caterpillar to pupa to flying adult.  Stop by and learn all about these spectacular winged insects and see mounted examples.

*Trailside Naturalist is a family-friendly educational offering on many Saturday mornings.  The presentations feature hands-on materials and specimens and cover a variety of topics about the flora and fauna of the Preserve.  The informal setting allows visitors to ask questions and learn interesting information about the amazing biodiversity of the Sonoran Desert.  Stop by anytime