Today I went to the botanical garden to see the “Butterflies go free” exhibition.
The star of the show this year is the blue Morphos, This butterfly is brown with exuberant markings on the outside but when it opens its wings a beautiful blue appears. The sparkling blue wings are caused by the way the light reacts with their scales. This butterfly is said to have magical powers and there was a movie made recently about them.
The butterflies are purchased from “butterfly farms” around the world in the form of cocoons and chrysalids. They are kept at the insectarium until they emerge and then they are transported to the exhibition greenhouse. To feed each variety there are many different flowering plants, which make for an even more colorful display.
There were displays and presentations to explain the life cycle of the egg to the caterpillar to chrysalid to butterfly. There were some cocoons that still contained their chrysalid and we could see them move when sprayed with water. The “Cobra” which is one of the few nocturnal butterflies in the exhibition does not eat. It lives on its reserves.
Most (but not all) butterflies feed themselves using a long “trunk like” antenna. It is rolled up when not in use and quite impressive when stretched out.
Ever time I go to the botanical gardens I am reminded how colorful nature is. Man has not invented much in terms of colors or patterns. All these butterflies are another example.
