Educational Mounts
Mounts listed in this section are economical and educational. Specimens are chosen because of their value in demonstrating a particular scientific principal regarding insects; for example, mimicry, camouflage, taxonomy, etc. A short description of the mount's educational value is given here.
These mounts can also be used for decorative purposes, of course.
Click on the thumbnail photo to enlarge it.
Rainforest Mimicry Complex. .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20.00 (Out of Stock)
Young predators quickly learn to identify these two tropical butterflies,
the Scarce Bamboo Page (Philaeithria dido) and the Malachite butterfly
(Siproeta stelenes) as unappetizing, and recognize them by their coloration
and pattern. Since the two species have similar appearances, they are both
avoided. Thus, each benefits from the lessons taught by the other. 6 x 8 inch
riker mount.
North American Mimicry Complex
. . . . . . . . . . $20.00
Learn to tell the difference
between the Monarch (Danaus plexippus) and Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
once and for all! This frame demonstrates one of the most familiar but perplexing
Mimicry complexes in North America. The Monarch is well known to be toxic
to birds and other predators; its mimic, the less common Viceroy capitalizes
on this by copying its coloration nearly perfectly. Mounted in a 6x8 inch
riker mount.
The Owl Butterfly - Eyespots.
. . . . . . . . . . $20.00
The Owl Butterfly (Caligo
eurilochus) uses a different kind of mimicry to protect itself. Through a
leafy forest, only portions of an animal may be seen at any given time; this
butterfly uses this principle to its advantage, fooling potential predators
into thinking it is a threat to them, rather than a juicy meal. At rest, the
butterfly's wings are held together, displaying the underside of the wings
with a realistic imitation of an owl's eye on each hindwing. 6x8 inch riker
mount.
Dead Leaf Butterfly - Camouflage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20.00
The Kallima genus of
butterflies are expert at imitating a dead leaf, right down to the mid-vein.
When their wings are held closed, they are indistinguishable from most brown
leaves, enabling them to hide in plain sight. 6 x 8 inch riker mount.
Urania Moths - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$20.00
These two colorful day-flying
moths come from two differet continents (Africa and South America), yet have
very similar form, habits and coloration. A great supplement or introduction
to biogeography, taxonomy or evolutionary concepts. Or, for the physicist:
the iridescent colors on these moths are not produced by the usual pigments
but rather by the microscopic shape of the individual wing scale. Different
colors are produced by the reflection of different wavelengths of light directly
related to the scale's micro-structure. See also "Morpho" above
for structural color. 6x8 inch riker mount.
Urania
specimens also available separately in 5x6 inch riker mount:
U. leilus (top) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8.00
U. ripheus (bottom) . . . . . . . . . . .$15.00
Glasswing Butterfly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12.00
This peruvian native
is one of several species of butterflies (Cithaerias spp.) that have
clear wings with few scales. The transparent wing membrane allows them to
blend perfectly with their environment, making them exceedingly difficult
to see. This specimen is a wonderful tool to dispel the myth that butterflies
are unable to fly if they have lost their wing scales. 4 x 3 inch riker mount.
Sexual Dimorphism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35.00
Cairn's Birdwing (Ornithoptera
priamus poseidon) provides an excellent example of sexual dimorphism in
butterflies. The male is patterned with bright green iridescent and velvet
black aposematic (warning) coloration, while the female has a completely different
coloration and patterning in cryptic brown and tan. The females are among
the largest butterflies in the world with a wingspan of 7 - 8 inches. Trade
in all of the large collectible birdwing species is strictly regulated under
CITES. They are available to collectors only through progressive
farming programs. A valuable addition to an institutional or personal
collection. 12 X 8 inch riker mount. Similar pairs also available with
blue, orange, or green & yellow male specimen. Females vary also but
are primarily brown & tan in all species. Prices vary with color (due
to rarity,) please inquire for prices of other colors.