“Butterfly (and moth) mimicry” – Patrick McGirk

This presentation will be specific to Florida native species. You can expect lots of pretty pictures, a couple of gross ones, and one that is mildly scary. Patrick will be pleased if you come away from the talk having learned the two main types of biological mimicry, AND if you say to yourself once during the talk, “that is so cool”!  If you come away as confused as he is about monarch/viceroy/queen mimicry, then you’ll be up to speed with the experts.

Patrick has been gardening for butterflies in Florida for more than a quarter century. He is never happier than when he has carefully gathered a handful of caterpillars to be moved to a different bed of host plants. He especially enjoys sharing his volunteer plants to get people started on their own butterfly gardening adventure.  

Patrick is a retired middle school biology teacher that now volunteers twice a week at the Florida Aquarium Center for Conservation working on the Coral Reef projects. He will talk about his news-breaking discovery to protect the baby corals.  He is also an active member and volunteer with NABA Tampa Bay chapter.