Giving and Receiving at the Bill Roston Native Butterfly House

Giving and Receiving at the Butterfly House

You’ve heard it said, “It is better to give than to receive.”  All of us can recall a time in our lives where this was true.  What comes to my mind is the gift given to my parents for their 60^th wedding anniversary.  My brother, sisters, myself and every one of our respective families came together from various parts of the country for a family reunion and formal portrait – all thirty-three of us.  The joy of my parents at having all their children and grand children together was overwhelming.  I thought, it truly is better to give than to receive, and my joy in seeing their joy, well, it was off the charts.

In the last year and a half as a volunteer at the Dr. Bill Roston Native Butterfly House, I have been privileged to experience a double portion of this same kind of joy.  Allow me to explain.

Two little blue-eyed girls burst anxiously through the door to the Butterfly House.  Their enthusiasm far exceeds that of their parent’s as they are strolling about 25 feet behind.  The girls marvel at the butterflies flying overhead as one holds a tiny finger high into the air inviting a butterfly to alight on her.

After greeting the parents who have now carefully closed the door, I say to the girls, “Would you like to see what a butterfly looks like before it’s a butterfly?”  The older girl runs to the center table and her little sister cautiously approaches behind her.  I carefully take a pot of parsley off the table to hold at their eye level.  “Look here…see that white dot?  That’s an egg.  A little tiny caterpillar will soon chew its way out of that shell.  And look over here”, I say as I turn a leaf to its underside, “Here’s a caterpillar that has already come out of his egg shell.  He’s about two days old.  Can you see him eating this leaf?”  By this time, the littlest one has advanced to my side and is at ease looking over the entire plant to discover these small wonders for herself.  “He’s a very hungry caterpillar!” I proclaim.  Wonder takes over timidity and the smallest announces proudly, “I have that book!”  “Do you”, I answer, “well, we have lots and lots of very hungry caterpillars here at the Butterfly House.”

I set the pot back on the table and draw their attention to another one.  This plant has oval leaves; several of them are curled in half.  “Do you see any caterpillars on this plant?” I ask.  At this point, not only are those sweet girls crowding close, but their parents are obviously engaged in the search.  I set the pot on the ground and unfold one of the leaves.  “Oh, look at that!” Dad exclaims.  A green caterpillar with deep black eyes is uncovered.  “He’s looking at you”, I say to the girls, “or is he?” “Do you think those spots are real eyes or are they fake?” I ask.  Bewilderment is on their silent faces.  Filling the hushed void, dad states, “They are real.”

I bend the leaf a little farther and show the small caterpillar’s face and explain that in fact the spots that look like eyes are a way for this caterpillar to say “Don’t eat me!”  “I’m bigger than I look – snake like, in fact.”  “Really?” says dad, “That’s amazing!”  “Isn’t it? I say, “This kind of life abounds around us every day as we walk by unaware.  Would you like to see another?” I ask.  “Yes!” dad says even before his girls can respond.

We walk to a tree growing in the Butterfly House.  “Do you see anything on these leaves?” I inquire.  The whole family is now looking.  Mom is the first to point to a cluster of eggs, green this time.  “Yes, those are the eggs of a Tiger Swallowtail, a beautiful yellow and black butterfly”, I say.  “And here is a caterpillar; what does it look like to you?”  “It looks like, like….bird poop.” Dad says questioningly.  “Exactly” I confirm.  “If you were a potential predator, would you want to eat bird poop?”  “Ewwww” dad and daughters say as they look at each other.  “As it grows and sheds its skin, the caterpillar changes in appearance “, I say as I point to a leaf where not one, but three green caterpillars are sitting.  Each matches the shade and tone of the leaf exactly.  “As they grow, their camouflage changes from that of an object (bird poop) to simply blending into their environment.

“I never realized”, dad says, obviously pondering and processing the information.  “Wow!” he mutters.  I continue, “When the caterpillar is big enough, it gets ready to make its chrysalis, the last stage before it becomes a butterfly.

I direct the family to the display of monarch, swallowtail, and even moth pupa (chrysalis & cocoons) and identify each.  Allowing all the information to soak in as they study the display, I ask, “would you be interested in creating your own backyard butterfly habitat?”  “We can grow butterflies?” mom asks.  “Absolutely, you just need to know what plants they need”, I say and hand her a brochure identifying about 25 native species and what host plants are needed for each caterpillar to eat.  “Butterfly larva or caterpillars are particular about what they eat.  Each species requires a certain type of plant.”  Following the chart in the brochure, dad asks, “so if we wanted to grow…say…monarchs, we would need to plant milkweed?”  “Correct” I confirm, “Milkweed is the only food source for a monarch caterpillar.  Without milkweed to eat, monarch caterpillars would starve.”  “So if we plant the right plants, we will have butterflies?”Dad questioned.  “If you build and plant it, they will come!” I assure.

I step back and let them explore together.  I smile to myself, knowing that this family of four will leave the Butterfly House with a genuine appreciation for the wonderful world of Lepidoptera.  They may even start a backyard habitat creating a haven for many creatures.  Oh, joy!

In the few moments I have before more visitors come, I carefully move small larvae from a nearly stripped plant to one full of fresh, tasty leaves.  Now they have plenty of room to eat and grow.  I check for predators – spiders, wasps, assassin bugs – and evict them.  “Please don’t eat our butterflies!” I say as I give them the boot.  I water the thirsty plants that provide food and nectar for our precious brood.  I’ve contributed, at least in a small way, to the likelihood that these species will survive and thrive, despite the reduction of their native habitat all around.  How many little lives were saved today at the Butterfly House?  Oh, joy, again!  I am overwhelmed with feeling as I see a glimpse of another family playfully approaching.  Another opportunity to give, but, I wonder if anyone realizes just how much I receive.

The Dr. Bill Roston Native Butterfly House is looking to expand its team of volunteers.  If you are interested in joining this team, please contact the Botanical Center Gift Shop, 2400 S. Scenic, Springfield, MO 65807 or call 417-891-1515.

The author of this short story, Lisa Bakerink, is the 2012 Butterfly House Coordinator for the Butterfly House Operations Group and a member of the Friends of the Garden Board.  Each fall, working with Monarch Watch, she participates in the annual Monarch Tagging event held around the end of September at the Butterfly House.