{"id":8679,"date":"2018-06-15T16:29:48","date_gmt":"2018-06-15T16:29:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/losfresnosnews.net\/?p=8679"},"modified":"2018-06-15T16:29:48","modified_gmt":"2018-06-15T16:29:48","slug":"utrgv-lecturer-spearheads-butterfly-garden-to-attract-preserve-winged-beauties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/losfresnosnews.net\/?p=8679","title":{"rendered":"UTRGV Lecturer Spearheads Butterfly Garden to Attract, Preserve Winged Beauties"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Vicky Brito<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>The Lower Rio Grande Valley is home to nearly 40 percent of the 700 species of butterflies found in the United States. Now, the UTRGV biology department is hoping to attract as many of those as it can with its new\u00a0butterfly garden<\/a>\u00a0on the Brownsville Campus, to help establish suitable habitat for butterflies and increase awareness of their importance.<\/p>\n

Dr. Lucia Carreon Martinez, UTRGV lecturer of biology who is spearheading the garden project, said conservation is vital because butterflies and other pollinators are threatened by habitat loss due to development, pesticide and herbicide use.<\/p>\n

\u201cButterflies, moths and other pollinators are indicators of biodiversity and a healthy environment,\u201d she said. \u201cThese pollinators represent an important food source for birds, bats and other insectivorous animals that in turn keep the undesirable insects in check. And, through pollination, they aid in the production process of many fruits, nuts, berries, plant-derived medicines and foliage.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the\u00a0Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations<\/a>, about one third of the world\u2019s crop production depends on pollinators.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Lower Rio Grande Valley is home to nearly 40 percent of the 700 species of butterflies found in the United States. Now, the UTRGV biology department is hoping to attract as many of those as it can with a new butterfly garden on the Brownsville Campus. Dr. Lucia Carreon Martinez, UTRGV biology lecturer who is spearheading the project, said conservation is vital because butterflies and other pollinators are threatened by habitat loss due to development, pesticide and herbicide use, and are a vital part of the Valley\u2019s ecological balance. Construction on the garden started in February, and volunteers now help maintain the site. Photo: David Pike\/UTRGV<\/p><\/div>\n

Construction on the UTRGV butterfly garden started in February, and volunteers now give their time and energy to help maintain the site.<\/p>\n

Carreon Martinez said UTRGV facilities staff and collaborating students have been critical to the project, and the City of McAllen\u2019s composting facility donated compost for the butterfly garden.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wouldn\u2019t have been able to do it without them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Volunteer Jay Ontiveros, a criminal justice senior and one of the students who helped with the construction, said flora planted in the garden is native to the Lower Valley, and all of the plants are wildflowers, bought locally.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany of these are specific hosts for certain types of butterflies,\u201d he said, pointing out a colorful bloom. \u201cFor example, planting milkweed is important for the caterpillar stage of the Monarch butterfly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Volunteer Damaris Antonio, a sophomore majoring in biology, said the garden can help improve the environment, both on campus and beyond.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are leading by example, trying to preserve the butterfly population and populations of other insects,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"PHOTO-2---UTRGV-Butterfly-Garden\"<\/a><\/p>\n

BUTTERFLY GARDEN TEAM MEMBERS<\/strong><\/p>\n