Time to sleep for butterflies

 

A butterfly from a few years ago taking nourishment on a cotton wool ball.

Butterflies do not hibernate like mammals; instead, they enter a state of dormancy known as diapause. This physiological state allows them to survive cold temperatures and lack of food by reducing metabolic activity.

The butterfly above was not let out though he had woken up to bright sunny skies but it was too cold to let him out into the cold March air.  They will hide in your wardrobes, cupboards or curtains so give them a quiet place and allow them to survive.

Our first butterfly has moved into the kitchen and now takes up residence on the curtain.  Completely immobile he must live through several months of dormancy before the spring sun wakes him.  Actually I am not sure whether he is a she but whatever he is definitely a butterfly seeking the warmth.

translucent blue

I am actually rather worried about the butterflies peace here.  Will the builders start work early next year?  My daughter is already sorting her books out for the charity shops.  Andrew takes a bag every day to one of the shops, and cookery books are the latest.  Though Nigel Slater and Nigella Lawson remain.