A Crimson Rose is not a rose but a Butterfly

A Butterfly called Crimson Rose

I still remember  running after a Crimson Rose in the school garden and missing the recess bell. I never caught the butterfly and when I reached my classroom, I was late and the angry teacher asked me to go and stand outside Principle’s office. For me it was a blessing, as I just went back to the garden and started my chase again.

If like me you too wonder where all the butterflies have gone, then blame the pesticides used in whatever sorry patches of scrubby greens are left in cities in name of gardens. Fortunately we live in a relatively less urbanized part of city and Mrugavani National park is close to our home. In my last visit along with some lizards I also clicked this beautiful Crimson Rose, with her wings spread ( It does not occur to me that somebody so beautiful can be male, though that is the case here, as the females have duller crimson spots!)

Just like a rose comes with thorns the Crimson Rose ( Pachliopta hector) comes with its own defense mechanism; this mesmerizing beauty is poisonous and rarely attacked by predators.   They are not endangered, and breed many times a year, but the challenge in cities is that a lot of caterpillars are killed by us city dwellers by using pesticides. Let me ask you this ” How do you intend to see butterflies, if you want to kill the caterpillars?“… go figure.

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