Description
One of the projects that stood out the most upon visiting Casa Pueblo was their mariposario, or butterfly house. The mariposario was home to dozens of native monarchs, endemic to the island of Puerto Rico. This is a sub-species of monarch that does not migrate off the island, but remains in Puerto Rico. Breeding these native monarchs is extremely important environmental work as they are important pollinators. This work became especially important post-Maria, as the insect population was severely affected by the hurricane, both by the winds and power of the storm, and by the lack of food available to them afterwards, with almost all vegetation on the island destroyed. This butterfly house also serves as an educational and demonstration site to share information and knowledge with the community as well as students of programs at Casa Pueblo.