As it has been rather warm and sunny here in Scappoose for the past few days, rumors of butterflies on the wing have begun to be spread around by the community of long wintered-over naturalists. I have not seen any butterflies myself yet this season although a few moths have been noticed (but sadly not positively identified). Thus it was with rumors of soon-to-be-seen butterflies and moths fluttering about in my mind that I noted a post on the LEPSTALK list server indicating that new time lapse videos of lepidoptera were now online.
To anyone with an interest in butterflies and moths, “time lapse” generally means emergence from the pupal state; the conclusion of the metamorphosis process. Complete metamorphosis, as is found in the lepidoptera, and if I am not mistaken, in the lepidoptera alone, is quite possibly the most astonishing natural phenomena of which I know. The very idea of a complete physical and ecological transformation of a single creature borders on science fiction; if it hadn’t been so well documented, anyone would be forgiven for thinking it was the product of an overly creative novelist.
That is why it is my great pleasure to present the two new videos I discovered on LEPSTALK. They were created by Chris of Santa Clarita and Northern Los Angeles County Area Butterflies and Moths (there are dozens more to be viewded on the website) and are included here by granted permission.
This first clip presents emerging Pima Orange-tip butterflies, Anthocaris cethura pima. My favorite aspect of it is how clearly it shows the wings expanding from their crumpled emergent state into their fully expanded glory.
The second clip shows Indra Swallowtail, Papilio indra, caterpillars pupating and one eventually emerging. This is the first time I have witnessed this and I really don’t have words to describe it. If you have not previously seen time lapse of pupation, prepare to be amazed.
Heartfelt thanks indeed to Chris for recording and sharing with the world these marvelous glimpses into the wondrous process of butterfly pupation and emergence.
Peace and good butterfly watching.
