Virtual Insectarium

Department of Entomology - Web Exhibit 1.0


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Interactive Habitat Map

Click on habitat to explore!

                    INSECT HABITAT MAP
    ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
    │                                             │
    │  MEADOW           GARDEN         RAINFOREST │
    │  ┌──────┐        ┌──────┐       ┌────────┐ │
    │  │      │        │ ~~   │       │ |||||| │ │
    │  │  ~~  │        │ ✿✿   │       │ |||||| │ │
    │  │ ~~~~ │        │  ✿✿  │       │ |||||| │ │
    │  │~~~~~~│        │ ✿✿✿  │       │ |||||| │ │
    │  └──────┘        └──────┘       └────────┘ │
    │  [12,45]         [45,45]        [78,45]    │
    │                                             │
    │  UNDERGROUND      FOREST FLOOR              │
    │  ┌──────┐        ┌───────────┐             │
    │  │//////│        │  ........  │             │
    │  │//////│        │ ......... │             │
    │  │//////│        │  .......  │             │
    │  └──────┘        └───────────┘             │
    │  [12,80]         [45,80]                    │
    │                                             │
    └─────────────────────────────────────────────┘

MEADOW
[12,45]
Butterfly habitat
GARDEN
[45,45]
Butterfly sanctuary
RAINFOREST
[78,45]
Beetle & ant habitat
UNDERGROUND
[12,80]
Ant colonies
FOREST FLOOR
[45,80]
Beetle territory

Server-side image map coordinates reference


Navigation Index

  1. Meadow Habitat - Betty the Butterfly
  2. Underground Colony - Anthony the Ant
  3. Forest Floor - Boris the Beetle
  4. Return to Zoo Entrance

Meadow Habitat

Betty the Butterfly

Betty Butterfly

Scientific Name: Danaus plexippus (Monarch Butterfly)

Specimen Data:

  • Migration distance: 3,000 miles annually
  • Wing beat frequency: 5-12 times per second
  • Sensory capability: UV light detection
  • Gustatory organs: Located on feet
  • Lifespan: 2-6 weeks (standard), 6-8 months (migratory generation)
Habitat:North American meadows and gardens
Diet:Nectar (primarily milkweed)
Conservation Status:Endangered (habitat loss)

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Underground Colony

Anthony the Ant

Anthony Ant

Scientific Name: Atta cephalotes (Leafcutter Ant)

Colony Statistics:

  • Colony population: Up to 8 million individuals
  • Carrying capacity: 50 times body weight
  • Agricultural practice: Fungus cultivation
  • Queen longevity: 15+ years
  • Architecture: Underground cities with ventilation systems
Habitat:Central & South American rainforests
Diet:Cultivated fungus grown on leaf fragments
Conservation Status:Least Concern

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Forest Floor

Boris the Beetle

Boris Beetle

Scientific Name: Dynastes hercules (Hercules Beetle)

Physical Characteristics:

  • Maximum length: 7 inches (17.5 cm)
  • Lifting capacity: 850 times body weight
  • Sexual dimorphism: Males possess prominent horns
  • Larval development: 2 years
  • Adult lifespan: 3-6 months
Habitat:Central & South American rainforests
Diet:Rotting fruit, tree sap
Conservation Status:Least Concern (habitat reduction noted)

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Zoo Entrance | Mammals | Birds | Reptiles | Fish


Virtual Insectarium v1.0
Last Updated: January 1995
Best viewed with NCSA Mosaic 2.0
Server-side image map technology