A small, colorful butterfly is often spotted zipping from flower to flower in my yard. Her orange and white accents pop against her rich, black wings. One afternoon, butterfly curiously landed on my arm and stayed for a while. She began excreting a clear liquid from her body, then drank from the little puddles with her long, straw-like proboscis (see video).
Fascinated, I asked Facebook friends: was she was laying eggs or taking a potty break? A nature-wise friend suggested she was excreting liquid to dissolve the salt from my skin, then drinking from the salt puddle. It was a sweaty day. The salt theory made good sense. (Also more appealing than my arm being her potty stop.)
Fast-forward to yesterday when I noticed a chalky-green caterpillar with yellow eyes1 eating strawberry leaves in my garden. I spoke with caterpillar, told her she could stay, and took her picture for later investigation.
After a bit of research, I learned the mystery creature is a Silver-spotted Skipper caterpillar that becomes a Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly — the same butterfly type that was using my arm as a salt lick this summer!
I think of my Baba when butterflies and birds come to visit. Given the flowers and bird feeders that are meant to attract these elegant visitors, I don’t assume my Baba is sending me a message each time a hummingbird squeaks her thanks for the nectar. Today, though, as I absorb the passing of a family member, I wonder if Baba is delivering a soothing message to me via the life cycle of these creatures? I feel her message in my heart:
Life has a cycle, a season, a process. It will end. Live like it matters.
I grieve the loss of my aunt. The moments with her that influenced my life were brief and impactful and as relevant today as they were decades ago. She guided Lori the caterpillar and helped her see that the world was diverse and accessible. Lori the butterfly is grateful.
Rest with ease, Aunt S.
The yellow patches are spots that mimic eyes. Do a find-on-page for “eyes” on the butterfly’s wikipedia page to learn more. Fascinating stuff.
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