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| 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.
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| 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.
Butterfly roommates! I love that.
ReplyDeleteYou have to be very quiet Debby whilst they are dormant.
DeleteNo butterflies at Mar-a-lago, then.
DeleteSee the latest link on the president. I just don't know he survives in office.
DeleteI didn't know until a few years ago that butterflies overwinter. I always assumed they all died in the fall. But no!
ReplyDeleteNo, nature let a few over winter to keep the butterflies going Steve.
DeleteTortoiseshells seem to be the main ones I've seen/had overwintering, but the occasional Peacock or Red Admiral will stow away. Who can blame them?
ReplyDeleteI should lessen my books . . . should . . .
I've started buying books again Jennie, though secondhand is so much cheaper now.
DeleteI thought they lived a very short life and probably died over winter, but then where would the new ones come from?
ReplyDeleteCaterpillars of course Andrew. The dreaded white butterfly on the cabbages, did you never pick the green caterpillars off?
DeleteI've never had butterflies in the house. We have screens on our windows and doors.
ReplyDeleteThere are no screens on houses in Britain Ellen and Andrew is always leaving the back door open, so that we get a cool breeze (and freezing) through the house.
ReplyDelete