Development of Internet Virtual Butterfly Museum

Abstract

This paper studies the computer and network technologies for developing a virtual butterfly museum, and the objective is to provide students and the public with a web-learning environment for studying butterfly ecology. We develop the 3D dynamic models of butterflies and the virtual scene of butterfly museum. The museum is a green house with transparent roof, where we grow many kinds of host plants and nectar plants to provide a suitable ecological environment for butterflies. The museum exhibits several species of butterflies as well as insects often seen in Taiwan. The museum serves both educational and recreational functions, and people can visit it through network at any time and from anywhere. Therefore, it can help us understand butterfly ecology and promote the protection of natural environments.