Scientific-Poet Looks at Butterflies
of delicate structure
and ethereal flight
flitting aimlessly for
mate or some nectar
the family name
Lepidoptera
from two Greek words
lepi - scale, ptera - wing
siphoning mouthparts
coiled like a watchspring
under the head
until it's needed
unfurls into tube
called a proboscis
probes deep into flowers
searching for nectar
thread-like antennae
long and slender
knobbed or hooked
at their tips
narrow extensions
on the hindwings
which resemble
forked tails of swallows
two pairs of wings
covered like roof shingles
with thousands of scales
overlapping and minuscule
pigments in scales
and structure of prisms
bends white light
to produce iridescence
intricate patterns
refracting the light
kaleidoscope of color
crown jewels of insect world
courtship involves
stroking of wings
mating may last for hours
often occurs during flight
courtship and mating
egg-laying and pollinating
life-span is short
some live only two to three weeks
egg, larva, pupa, adult
caterpillar to chrysalis
hidden transformation
the miracle of metamorphosis
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
Photo Location: Harbor Springs, (Harbor Springs) Michigan
References:
The Practical Entomologist - (Entomologist) Rick Imes c 1992
The Handy Bug Answer Book - (Answer Book) Dr. Gilbert Waldbauer c 1998
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