Painted Lady, Flight, Food feeder, 11-18-09, BioServe's "Butterflies in Space" Experiment

A clip from the International Space Station where the "Butterflies in Space" experiment is being conducted. This experiment was made possible through the generous and on-going support of the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) and the Baylor College of Medicine (BCM). This video is of some Painted lady larvae from Clearwater Butterflies in Florida feeding, floating, and exploring their new habitat. The larva at the center of the screen is free-floating and appears to be in the middle of molting. The larva may be trying the chew off its old skin. A disadvantage of zero-gravity for these little guys, they have to hang on to something to help rid themselves of their old skin. This one seems to be struggling as it is unable to reach the sides. It will have to wait for the slightest of bump or movement of the ISS for it to reach a wall. We are all pulling for him/her here on the ground. Check out tomorrows video to see if it has made any progress.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Butterflies in space
• ISS
• Painted lady
• BioServe Space Technologies
• Space
• University of Colorado
• STS-129