BUTTERFLIES

The innumerable varieties of gorgeous butterflies that flitted around added to the colour in our compound. I knew that there were a lot of these species namely (a) the Skippers, which are known for their rapid and bounding flights. These varieties make their presence felt early in the morning and in the evening; (b) the Swallowtails, which include the Peacock variety also, which are migratory beauties from the Himalayas, which are exceptionally bright and beautiful. They share a common feature with the butterflies having tailed hind wings; (c) the Whites and the Yellows are called so because of the colour of their wings; (d) the Blues are all small and pretty and they have blue on the upper sides of their wings and (e) the Brush-footed butterflies which are very peculiar. The long hairs on their legs look like brushes. I have noticed that the butterflies especially Swallowtails have different shades of captivating black, brown, red, orange or yellow spots or lines or bands or patches on their wings. This is noticed especially in their variations, permutations and combinations.

At times, the butterflies are seen lazing around in the sun out in the open courtyard. They are beautiful creations of Mother Nature. These harmless, colourful beauties appealed so much to me and I really marveled at them. I have spent endless moments watching them; nimbly running after them and admiring them for their sprightly movements and striking hues. These beauties are a joy forever. They stop over each and every flower. When the ‘Asokachethi’, Jonesia asoca, was in full bloom, it was amazing to see the number of butterflies that hovered over it. They always go back to the same bunch of flowers to make sure that they did not miss any flower in the bunch. It was interesting to watch them insert their proboscis into the tiny flower to take the nectar from below. While doing so they pollinate the flower. I have even spotted them drawing off loamy water out of puddles. They like the juice of overripe fruits which we discard. They are also attracted to cow dung and urine. I often wonder whether they obtained their mineral intake from there. While resting their wings are folded and kept in a perpendicular position.

The male butterflies go around looking for a companion. The males often fight and chase each other for a female. During their mating they would perch themselves comfortably on the blossom of Asokachethi or the pair would fly in open areas when their bodies would be closely attached to each other. They lay their eggs underneath the leaf of particular trees. They hatch into colourful caterpillars which feed on leaves of such trees. The first stage of metamorphosis was followed by the pupa stage and finally the full grown butterfly flies off breaking its pupa cover. Its wings are bilaterally symmetrical halves on either side. During the flowering season, (March-May), I noticed a lot of butterflies flitting around in the sunny skies. They have found their way to the South from the Himalayas.  A handful of these migratory varieties would descend and stay in our garden and neighbourhood during the flowering season. They have a very short life span. The offspring of these migratory beauties might return to the Himalayas after their short sojourn here in the South.

Excerpts from

MEMOIRS

An autobiography

by

Joseph J. Thayamkeril

Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.

josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com

josephjthayamkeril@gmail.com