As many of you know Zoe is studying entomology at University, she loves bugs! My family loves that she loves bugs too. Zach is always finding bugs and asking her to identify them. My mom requested some fireflies, and Zoe totally delivered. It's pretty cool.
Last week she brought home some caterpillars that are destined to be swallowtail butterflies (right, Zoe?). They ate copious amounts of fresh dill and pooped ALOT. On June 29th one made itself it's cocoon and the other three followed a few days later.
Now, Zoe estimated it would be about 2 weeks till they hatched (incorrect term, I'm fairly certain). So, imagine my surprise when I looked at the container yesterday and there was a fully grown butterfly hanging out!
Then I panicked. Zoe was at the folk festival, her phone was out of range, and I have no idea what to do with butterflies. You might say the easiest thing would be just to set it free out the window. But then I thought, what if Zoe wants this for her collection? What if this is the only butterfly that hatches? AHH!
Then I called Nat. She's at the folk fest too...and for some absurd reason I thought she might be able to locate Zoe in in thousands of people. The phone call went a little like this:
Me: CRISIS! I am having a crisis!
Her: Oh no, what is happening? Are you okay?
Me: You know those butterflies that Zoe brought home?!? One hatched! It's still in the container and I'm afraid it's going to hurt itself!
Her: Wha? Where are you?
Me: At home! What do I do? I need you to find Zoe. I think I'm going to set it free.
Her: Good idea. I'll send Mom a text to see if she can find Zoe and call you.
Me: Phew. Thanks for the crisis intervention services.
And then I set the little guy free. In the apartment.
Don't even ask for the logic behind that.
Later Zoe called and said I could have just set it free outside. Oops. She also said she didn't realize that butterflies would cause me so much stress. I didn't either. But it was totally worth it, because this is such a beautiful creature!
The butterfly is still alive this morning and I think I will corral it into a container and take it to folk fest to set free.
did you end up setting it free at folk fest??
ReplyDeletehehehe ohh rev, i'm glad you got it all worked out. that was pretty stressful. have you named the butterfly yet?
ReplyDeleten8
Coz - I actually set it free on my way out. Zoe and I were worried it's wings would get broken from the confinement!
ReplyDeleteN8 - I was thinking of a name...and that name was Swall. Because it is a Swallowtail butterfly. A little lame but it works!
He hee hee. Just trying to keep you on your toes!
ReplyDelete