Science & Technology

ryanbioserve

"Butterflies in Space" experiment, BioServe Space Technologies at the University of Colorado. This experiment was made possible through the support of the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) and the Baylor College of Medicine (BCM). Larvae and technical assistance provided by Monarch Watch, Butterfly Pavilion, and Clearwater Butterfly. These particular monarchs made the trip all the way from Kansas, courtesy of Monarch Watch, to board the Space Shuttle Atlantis for a ride to the International Space Station. Along with their Painted Lady pals, they were transferred to the ISS yesterday and are now enjoying some R&R. The video shows two monarchs laying still in the molting process. Soon they should shed their old skin (and old HEAD!!) and begin eating once more. One larva is a bit behind and continues to eat, and bother the other larva. You can see a small skirmish in the video. By tomorrow, the other two larvae should be eating and once more on their artificial milkweed diet.