 Texas is well known for longhorn cattle, rattlesnakes, armadillos, whitetail deer and hard working cowboys. But one of the more delicate creatures of the Lone Star State are the millions of butterflies that populate Texas, especially each fall when migrating Papilionoidea flock to the furtile fields of deep South Texas in an annual show of diverse color, delicate fluttering and in abundant numbers to justify the Texas Buttefly Festival in Mission.
The 13th Annual Texas Butterfly Festival is set for October 16th to 19th in Mission, located in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, the most biologically diverse region in the United States. Four ecosystems converge in this four county area; with its sub-tropical climate the area boasts over 300 species of butterflies, some 513 species of birds and approximately 101 species of odonates.
A series of special seminars are scheduled covering a host of subjects, including "How To SPot Butterflies", "Strategic Texas Butterfly Habitats", "How To Raise Butterflies", "Butterflies and Botonists", "Texas Bettlephilia", "Dragonflies and Damselfies", "Special Butterflies of the Lower Rio Grande Valley", and "Black-Lighting For Moths and Other Night Creatures".
In addition, a number of special field trips are planned.
Western Valley Trip
Takes you to Starr Co. and the Rio Grande City and Roma areas. Starr County is mostly Tamaulipan scrub, with lots of thick brush, thorny plants, and cacti. It is drier than the rest of the Valley, but has several ramaderos, which are depressions that retain water, has flourishing plants, and many butterflies.
Mid-Valley Trip
Goes mostly to the Weslaco area. Here you will visit the Valley Nature Center, Frontera Audubon Sanctuary, Estero Llano Grande State Park-World Birding Center, and Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge. Each of these sites has outstanding butterfly plantings, and you will see lots of butterflies.
Eastern Valley Trip
Takes you to the coastal area of Cameron County. We will visit Laguna Atascosa NWR, and stop by Harlingen’s Hugh Ramsey Nature Park-WBC. A huge variety of butterflies can be found on this trip.
Edinburg Wetlands
WBC, North American Butterfly Association’s (NABA) International Butterfly Park, and Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park-WBC Trip—can be a fantastic trip. NABA-IBP and Bentsen SP-WBC are on the banks of the Rio Grande River, which separates Texas from Mexico. Edinburg Wetlands-WBC is planted almost entirely for butterflies. Combined, more species of butterflies have been found at these three sites than anywhere else in North America.
Rancho Lomitas
Is one of our fastest filling trips. Located in Starr Co, Rancho Lomitas (ranch of low hills) is the home of Benito and Toni Trevino. Benito is one of the nation’s top ethnobotanists. He maintains a native plant nursery on the ranch. We will comfortably ride on a covered, benched trailer through the ranch to various locations, stopping often for folks to get off and see the many butterflies found on the ranch. Their wonderful meadow of wildflowers makes the entire trip a great experience. At the end of our trip, Toni will probably give you a cool drink made from cacti tunas and pastries made from flour from the beans of the Mesquite Tree and the fruit from Chapote.
Dragonfly Trek
Goes to places at the leader’s discretion, depending on where it is wet. Possible sites are Anzalduas County Park, Edinburg Wetlands, Bentsen SP-WBC, Santa Ana NWR, NABA, and others. Although the main focus is dragonflies and damselflies, many butterflies will be seen, also.
Black Lighting Trip
A demonstration about catching moths and other insects that come into UV and bright lights. This is one of our most popular trips, because there is no telling what creatures might show up. Participants must bring their own flashlights, wear dark clothing and long pants and stand away from the leaders and their very hot lights, until told to approach more closely. Be aware of snakes and scorpions in the area, also.
For more information about the Texas Butterfly Festival, visit the official Web site at www.texasbutterfly.com
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