A kaleidoscope of butterflies.

 
{We all of us have wings (I). Gracia Haby. (Please click to see this larger.)}


{We all of us have wings (II). Collage, Gracia Haby.}

Do you remember those toys consisting of a cylinder containing mirrors and pieces of colored glass or paper; those magical kaleidoscopes, with their reflections capable of orchestrating many changing patterns visible only through a small eyehole? Rotate and watch the charm unfurl, a kaleidoscope of wings, patterns and coloured forms tumbling. Today we have gathered for you such an assembly. We have assembled a kaleidoscope of butterflies.

Joined this time by Jurate (Greville St Bookstore) with her magical butterflies and equally magical words, we hope you enjoy a kaleidoscope of butterflies.

From Jurate,

Some butterflies are cannibals.

Some butterflies are spirits of the dead.

Prillwitzia hymenaea of the Family Ithomiidae moves secretly through the rainforest undergrowth of Brazil, wings as transparent as glass. Almost undetectable in dim light, virtual invisibility ensures survival.

In the humming jungle silence, the caterpillar eats a channel through the leaf of the deadly nightshade, grows fat and round on poison. Toxic chemicals accumulate in its tissues. A bird or a lizard dares to pluck it from the leaf, and dies. A warning. The caterpillar becomes a butterfly, poison-butterfly. Predators learn to recognise and avoid a deadly prey.

Thin shafts of sun spot the forest floor, catch a glint of glass transparent wings. Careless butterfly. Avoid the light. Dart in shadows.

Some species devastate crops and gardens, and must be exterminated.

Some species are dangerous and must be exterminated.

Collecting method: a trap is baited with rotting fruit, animal dung or other odoriferous material… The bait is set. An inverted net is suspended two inches above the ground. The butterfly must crawl under its rim to reach the bait. When finished feeding, the butterfly flies upwards and entraps itself in the closed end of the net. Entraps itself. Careless butterfly.

Lepidopterist, Alexander Klots, reports seeing hundreds of butterflies gathered on the decomposing remains of a small crocodile, on the banks of an Amazon tributary. Long tongues penetrate the flesh, sip the juices from the rotting flesh, absorb essential amino acids and nitrogen containing substances.

The butterfly could not stand the hunting pressure. After fifty years of intensive collection, the butterfly was no longer to be seen, except in specimen cabinets. Examples of an extinct species, safely pinned, boxed and labelled.

The butterfly could not stand the hunting pressure.

J.S.

(Extracts from Some Butterflies are Cannibals by Jurate Sasnaitis. First published in Angry Women: An Anthology of Australian Women’s Writing, Hale & Iremonger, 1989.)
















{A rainbow of butterflies. Eight digital kaleidoscopes, Jurate Sasnaitis}


{My Butterfly's,  found in Berry's Antique shop in the 1970's for $14, Flinders Lane, Melbourne. Pen and pencil drawing, Elaine Haby.}


{Butterflies fly by day. Watercolour and pencil drawing, Louise Jennison.}


{In search of nectar. Watercolour and pencil drawing, Louise Jennison.}


{We all of us have wings (III). Collage, Gracia Haby.}


{We all of us have wings (IV). Collage, Gracia Haby.}


{We all of us have wings (V). Collage, Gracia Haby.}

Until next time, friends.