The CURLA Entomological Museum: Protagonist Butterflies
The CURLA entomological museum is the largest of its kind. It is located in Honduras and was founded by Don Robert Lehman, a passionate teacher and explorer from Ohio City, USA This museum is the culmination of his desire to collect and classify butterflies from around the world.
Previously, it was known as: the Museum of the butterfly and other insects. However, in 2015 it changed its management and, consequently, also its name and headquarters.
The Entomological Museum Collection
This museum has a very extensive collection. It has more than 19,300 specimens of day and night butterflies. In addition, its collection includes insects from Honduras and more than 140 countries in the world.
The museum’s collection includes almost 8000 specimens of Lepidoptera, including butterflies and moths. In addition, the museum has more than 6000 specimens of another class of insects originating in Honduras. All have been collected over the years in the rainforest of the Central American country.
Of course, the museum also has specimens from other countries. These include 3,400 types of Lepidoptera and more than 1,800 specimens of other insects.
Of course, like all museums, the entomological museum has some iconic specimens. Among these is the largest moth in Honduras, Thysania agrippina , as well as the largest butterfly in the world, Attacus atlas .
Although blue butterflies are found in many countries, Honduran blue butterflies are famous for their color. The museum has several types of blue butterflies, including the brightest, the Morpho cypris butterfly .
Of course, the museum has managed to get very rare specimens worldwide. This museum has a specimen of the most colorful nocturnal butterfly, from Madagascar, the Chrisridia ripheus . In addition, it has curious and funny specimens such as the butterfly with a peanut-shaped head and the longest mouth in the world.
Robert Lehman, founder of the Museum of Butterflies and Other Insects
He came to Honduras at the age of 19 and stayed there for two years. He then returned to the United States to finish his studies. During his first stay in Honduras, his love for insects grew and never faded again.
After completing his studies in the United States, Lehman returned to Honduras in 1968 and settled in the country.
Already graduated as an elementary school teacher, Lehman dedicated his life to teaching. At the same time, on his days off he devoted himself to exploring the nearby mountains. In his walks and trips he dedicated himself to collecting butterflies.
In 1987 Lehman donated his first large butterfly collection to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Many researchers and specialists have used their contribution to the institute, which included 4,222 specimens of Honduran lepidopterans.
Lehman started his new large collection of butterflies and insects in 1994. Just two years later, this collection would become the Butterfly Museum.
The Entomological Museum and environmental conservation
Honduras has 11.2 million hectares of territory. Of that figure, at least 4 million hectares correspond to different types of forests and jungles.
In the last decades Honduras has implemented reforestation and conservation programs. However, much of the flora and fauna has been affected by environmental changes.
In this sense, the CURLA Entomological Museum is a refuge for knowledge and species of butterflies that could soon disappear.
New administration of the Butterfly Museum
Lehman has managed the La Mariposa museum since its founding. However, to from 2015 the museum came under the administration of the National Autonomous University of Honduras.
That year, the museum went from its initial location to the Regional University Center of the Atlantic Coast (CURLA). The museum is now at the service of the university community, both researchers and students. Of course, the museum is still open to the public.
Robert Lehman continues to collaborate with the entomological museum through consultancy and staff training. He gives workshops on the collection, identification and assembly of insects, but also on the environment and care of the natural habitats of Lepidopterans.
