Beauteous bugs were bountiful in our classroom over the past few weeks as we raised brilliant Painted Lady butterflies from caterpillars through the process of metamorphosis. The children were buzzing with innocent interest as they watched the caterpillars transform into richly-toned beauties. Each and every step of this scientific process elicited excitement, logical thinking, and questioning about the life cycle of this much admired bug.
Today, was a sad, yet energetic day as these burgeoning butterflies were set alight during a sunny and steaming hot spring day. The children were fascinated to behold the wonder of seeing butterflies enter their new world (the outside) through the simple act of taking flight upon their whiskey, amber-colored and pitch black wings.
As the sunlight shown during this summer-like day, one of our foundling butterflies sat helplessly on my co-teacher's hand as the children waited with bated breath to see it emerge into its backyard oasis.
Unfortunately, the whisper soft beauty did not alight even after repeated attempts to entice it to fly through food and gentle prodding. Even after several hours, the butterfly lazed in our garden in the late afternoon heat.
As sad as it may seem, this is the cruel reality of nature. I hope to see that tomorrow that gentle insect had the courage and the willpower to fly into its azure sanctuary.
To learn more and view a picture of this bewitching bug visit the BioKids Website: http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Vanessa_cardui/
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