"One must STOP in the caterpillar journey
For transformation, what we can become.
One must change to a much gooey mess
to undergo metamorphosis and change."
For transformation, what we can become.
One must change to a much gooey mess
to undergo metamorphosis and change."
The entire reason that Scott Simmerman wrote Teaching the Caterpillar to Fly was to compare our life as humans to that of a caterpillar changing into a butterfly. Throughout history, humans have likened their changes and transformations to the metamorphosis of Lepidoptera. Change is indicative of growth and we as humans embrace
that. As we get older, we must adapt and transform ourselves to suit our
environment. We must undergo our own metamorphosis just like a butterfly
because, as the saying goes, the only constant in life is change.
Butterflies have embodied numerous symbols in various cultures throughout time. In early Christianity, butterflies symbolized the soul and in China, a butterfly represents bliss and joy. Some Native American tribes believe that butterflies symbolize change, joy, and color. Palace of the Mariposa, an ancient palace located just outside of Mexico City, was a palace completely dedicated to the butterfly which signified flames to the ancient native culture. Though many cultures held butterflies in high esteem, they were not always a positive symbol during some time periods. In the Old World, butterflies were thought to be the spirits of the dead. Some parts of Europe believed a butterfly to be the soul of a lost child. Sailors believed that butterflies were an omen that meant they would die at sea if one was seen prior to sailing away.
Butterflies have also been used as a medium for art. Scientist and micrographer, Henry Dalton created micro-mosaics from the scales of butterfly wings during the 19th century. Dalton did this by stripping off single scales from the wing and individually moving them to a microscope slide. Dalton's mosaics required up to 1000 separate scales. Art has also been created using the wings from dead butterflies found on the ground. Butterfly wing art is unique in that it only uses the wings, requiring no extra paint or color. |
Some Lepidoptera produce cocoons made of silk such as the Bombyx mori, a silkworm moth native to Asia. Sericulture is the breeding of silkworm moths by humans and the harvesting of the raw silk the moths produce. Sericulture originated in China around 4000 BC where it spread to Japan in 2100 BC and Europe in 1500 BC. Early United States colonists attempted and ultimately failed at silk harvesting. The silk industry brings in prophets of nearly $500 million each year. Today, silkworm moths live only in captivity with no wild populations in existence. It takes approximately 3000 silkworm cocoons to make 1 pound of silk. Silk is not only used by the fashion industry but also the medical field for bandages and silk sutures. |
Lepidoptera are not vital to human survival but there has been a connection between the two for thousands of years. During the course of history, butterflies have influenced humans creatively through poetry, artwork, and music. Lepidoptera are responsible for much of the silk production in the world and they also aid in the pollination of many flowers. Could we as humans survive without Lepidoptera? Yes, but without butterflies, caterpillars, and moths on Earth, certain things would quite different.