Feeding a butterfly

On 14th february, while returning from class I spotted a brown butterfly on the pavement behind the building. One of its wings was smaller than the other, so it was not able to fly for long distance. Surprisingly it was not afraid of me. It easily climbed on my palm and seemed very comfortable. So I brought it home to look at it closely.

What to feed?

Different species may need different food. For this case, I used honey and water solution in 1:7 ratio. take 1 drop of honey and mix it with 7 drops of water. Add a very tiny pinch of salt, It is not required and some species may not like it. Butterflies need minerals apart form the carbohydrates and proteins they get from the nectar. They generally gather around puddles, to absorb minerals. This is called puddling. It is a common misconception that its  proboscis is used to suck the nectar. It is actually used for absorbing the liquid, like a tissue paper.

How to feed?

To feed the honey-water solution gently place the butterfly near the liquid spread on a cloth or on a plate. If the butterfly doesn't start feeding on it, try to dip a cotton swab in the liquid and gently touch it to its proboscis. If the butterfly doesn't stretch out its proboscis then do not force it. It is maybe not hungry or feels uncomfortable or it is afraid. Be very gentle, DO NOT hold it by its wings, they are very delicate.

After feeding the butterfly, I kept it on the plants. It flew away after some time.

The butterfly feeds with the proboscis.

Notice how to handle the butterfly with hand without harming it.

Basilica orbweaver on the Gaussian distribution

The Basilica orbweavers (Mecynogea lemniscata) are a non-venomous and non-aggressive group of spiders. They are about as big as a grain of rice in the early stages. Their webs look like cotton candy. Their webs are interesting: on looking closely, you will notice that the webs are not randomly built. In the unorganized threads, there is a fine fabric in the shape of a dome. Hence, the name- 'basilica orbweaver'. 

Look closely; you will notice the shape of the web.

The bell-shaped web also resembles a three-dimensional plot of a Gaussian function. Isn't that amazing?

Bell-shaped Gaussian function

The female lays eggs in sacs that hang vertically from the web. It detaches its web in the night, which falls in the eggs and creates a protective layer.

Isn't nature both inspiring and beautiful? 

Comment what you think about the correlation with the Gaussian function.

Thank you!!

Lilly Moth

 

Lilly moths are found in south asia. They have a vibrant pattern on their wings and a fully developed proboscis. 

Scientific name: 

Polytela gloriosae

Host plant:

Rain Lilly.

Egg stage:

Lilly moth larvae, unsurprisingly,  feed on rain lillies. Rain lilies are white or yellow monocots which bloom after rains. The larva eggs are yellow in color and are layed in large numbers, usually in two long rows on the underside of the leaves. The eggs hatch in 4 days.

lilly moth eggs

Lilly moth eggs

Larva stage:

The larvae are yellow in color and have a black head when they hatch. Like most species of moths and butterflies, they eat their eggshell first. Their color changes to red, theirhead turns red too and the patterns in the body show up in a week. In later stages, the larva turn black and develop striking patterns of white and orange spots on their body.

Eggs hatching

Larvae feeding on leaves on the second day after hatching

Red larvae after 1st week

The larvae feed very quickly, munching away leaves in minutes and then spend some time resting to digest food.

Larvae in later stages

Larvae before forming cocoon

Pupal stage:

After feeding for around 10 days the the larvae form pupa in the soil. 

Larvae digging into the soil

Lilly moth Pupa

The pupa is very delicate and can get punctured easily in the initial days. It is advisable to let the pupa caterpillar for the pupa and stay in the soil for at least a week until its covering hardens.

Digging the pupa out

After removing the pupae, I made mud compartments for the pupae and placed them in a netted box.

Moth Stage:

The moth hatches in 7-8 days. the beautiful moth is active in the night. It is a visual treat!

Lilly Moth

Lilly Moth

Lilly Moth

Thank you!

Honey bee on passion plant

Bee visits passion flower for pollens
The yellow sacks on its legs are called corbiculae

Bees are extremely vital for agriculture because crops and horticulture cannot yield without the natural pollinators(bees). They also produce honey which has been exploited by humans since millenniums. 

Bees can be dangerous, but they sting only if we threaten it. When I lived in Jayanagar,bees used to dart through the window almost every day in summer and hover around the tube light. We used to kill it with a broom and I greatly regret that. Bees make bee hives every summer in my apartment building. They are considered as pests and their hives are smoked. Dozens of bees lay dead on the pathway and cyclist passively crush them and people step on them while they are still buzzing. They take no notice of this vital animal. The honey extracted from their hives is sold to the residents; the honey that comes from a massacre, by killing their their offspring. The least they can do is not step on them.

Bee consuming pollen grains 
with proboscis(red)

I grew 2 passion vines in 2017 which blossomed for the first time in 2018. The vine decorated my window. It was covered with trails of ants feeding on the nectar and also visited by a bee. The bee was very comfortable with my presence even if I got really close. These small, buzzing creatures are highly complex and social animals. It visiting every day collecting pollen and storing it  the yellow saddle bags on the side of the legs, called corbiculae- a cargo for the pollen. The pollen grains are for their off spring and honey is made from the pollen grains. Watching the bee so closely was a very flabbergasting moment. The passion vine that decorates my window, is also a source of food for ants, bees, spiders, wasps and a vast multitude of insects. I was amazed. Just a few kilos of soil water and fertilizer fueled this little food chain.

Bee consuming pollen grains