Celebratory Butterflies

  • Post published:11/09/2010
  • Post comments:4 Comments
Scarlet Swallowtail female - Papilio rumanzovia

This past weekend we were invited to a celebratory 60th birthday party at our local Butterfly House. We thought it was an apt site for the party because while most of us are familiar with the 12 animal Chinese zodiac, the reality is that the complete Chinese zodiac requires going around the 12 year cycle five times – when you begin again. The 60th year can be challenging, but it can also be a time of new beginnings.  The butterfly coming out of its chrysalis seemed a perfect metaphor.

Owl Butterfly - Caligo eurilochus

We had never been to a Butterfly House before and it was an amazing experience –  to walk through a steamy jungle where the air was alive with 4000 butterflies, some of which would occasionally settle on one of us – as did the Owl butterfly.

Glasswing Butterfly - Greta oto

Before we went into the conservatory we were warned not to touch the butterflies because our fingers would destroy the scales that give the butterflies their color and pattern, and protect the wings.  When I saw this Glasswing I thought at first that it had been handled too much and was on the verge of death because the wings were transparent. It was not until I left and bought an identification chart in the gift shop that I saw that was not the case.

Malachite Butterfly - Siproeta stelenes

It was hard to photograph the butterflies. They did not like to pose very much. Most of my photos are out of focus, or the butterfly flew off at the critical moment.

Blue Morpho Butterfly - Morpho peleides

The Blue Morpho is one of the largest butterflies, but it is really noticeable as it flies because of its  iridescent blue wings.  More specifically, the blue of the top of its wings. The underside, which is what is seen then the butterfly closes its wings are dull spotted brown which provides camouflage when it is at rest, and makes the butterfly seem to disappear as it flutters through the trees.

Indian Leaf Butterfly - Kallima paralekta

We got a good look at this butterfly which was fascinating in its imitation of a leaf.

Indian Leaf Butterfly open

But, like the Blue Morpho, this butterfly only has camouflage in one position.

Throughout the conservatory I saw stakes topped with red or blue ‘sponges’ soaked with nectar that attracted the butterflies. As I left I noticed a bird bath filled with rotting bananas as well as a nectar soaked blue sponge. This reminded me that a children’s butterfly book I read described a way to attract butterflies to the garden. The need nectar flowers, and plants for the larval stages, but they also need water, and they like sweet rotting fruit.

The Butterfly House was certainly a beautiful way to get a lesson about these beautiful creatures who are also important pollinators.

This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. Lisa at Greenbow

    I always enjoy walking through these butterfly houses. They always have the most colorful butterflies here. I saw a Malachite in the wild while in South Texas one time. It looked like a dream flitting along.

  2. Nan

    I would so love to visit a butterfly house. It must be magic to see so many in the same place. And what a cool idea for a 60th party.

  3. Rose

    The Glasswing butterfly is so unusual–and such a beauty! I love visiting butterfly houses like this. I also learned from my visits about setting out water and rotting fruit. But I have to tell you–I put out some leftover watermelon and bananas last year, only to attract ants more than butterflies:)

  4. Pat

    Lisa – I am glad for the Butterfly houses because I am really worried about the fate of butterflies. For the past two years I have not seen many monarchs, much less the swallowtails that I allowed to decimate my dill.
    Nan – I thought it was a terrific idea for a birthday party, for any age.
    Rose – I didn’t have much luck with rotting fruit either, but I will try putting it a little farther from the house next summer.

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