The first flutter of the butterfly

Sibylla Merian, born in Germany in 1647, was a superbly talented naturalist and illustrator, despite her lack of formal education (women were not admitted to universities in the seventeenth century). In 1699, aged fifty-two, she defied all convention and set off with her twenty-one year old daughter Dorothea on a twomonth sea voyage to the South American country of Suriname.

last few months, you are not alone. Most butterflies and moths will overwinter in a ‘dormant’ phase (as technically they don’t hibernate) either as eggs, larvae, pupae or adult butterflies. This month look out for early arrivals: the bright yellow of the Brimstone, the Orange Tip, the Peacock, the silvery Holly Blue or the jagged wings of the Comma.

The season of renewal

Spring, of course, is synonymous with new beginnings; something perfectly epitomised in the butterfly’s transformation from a caterpillar. But how does it actually make this journey?

A soupy slush

During its relentless leafy feast, the caterpillar (larvae) will go through a sequence of skin moults, eventually spinning itself into a chrysalis to hang from the underside of a leaf or rock. The body will then release enzymes which dissolve most of the cells and reduce the caterpillar’s body down to a mushy, soupy slush. The cells which survive this process do the work in forming the body parts of the butterfly – the wings, the eyes, the legs. Once completed, the butterfly is ready to start its life, find a mate, lay eggs and begin the cycle again.

Journey of discovery

The groundwork for understanding metamorphosis started over three hundred years ago. Maria

Merian trekked into the depths of the dark, tangled undergrowth of the rain forests, under the high canopies of the treetops, and immersed herself in Suriname’s flora and fauna. Faced with merciless insects, snakes, oppressive heat and the threat of disease, she meticulously observed, sketched and documented not just the process of metamorphosis in butterflies and moths, but the life cycles of cockroaches, cicadas and beetles - as well as some mammals and reptiles.

Comprehensive catalogue

Merian spent two years in Suriname creating a comprehensive catalogue of intricate scientific illustrations and later published a book: ‘Metamorphosis in the Insects of Suriname’. She was also one of the first to understand biology from direct observation, helping to establish our modern concept of field studies and ecology. Her work is said to be useful to present day scientists and their studies of species and climate change.

So, if you find yourself at Pagham Harbour or Medmerry, admiring the ephemeral beauty of a butterfly, consider not only the incredible transformation it has made, but also the intrepid journey Maria Sibylla Merian made in order for us to understand it.

See for yourself!

Why not join us on one or our guided walks this month to look for signs of spring, including the first butterflies of the year? Find out more at www.events.rspb.org.uk/paghamharbour or call 01243 641508.

www.rspb.org.uk/paghamharbour

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9 Jewelled headdress (5)

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11 Ignorant (7)

12 Deep-pitched band instrument (4,4)

15 Fourth Gospel (4)

17 Above (4)

18 E.g. Germaine Greer (8)

21 Glass containers (7)

23 Cutting instrument (5)

25 Vision (5)

26 Advantage (7)

Down

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2 Voracious aquatic reptile (Abbr.) (4)

3 Fruit drink (7)

4 List from which to choose (4)

5 Water vapour (5)

6 Tubular pasta (8)

7 Collapse (4,2)

13 Dearth (8)

14 Exploit (3)

16 Going down (7)

17 Surprise attack (6)

19 Agreement (6)

20 Roofing stone (5)

22 Weeps (4)

24 Gen (4)

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