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One Man Single-Handedly Repopulates Rare Butterfly Species In His Own Backyard
The California Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor hirsuta) is a locally rare butterfly within San Francisco. Now, thanks to California Academy of Sciences aquatic biologist, Tim Wong, the butterfly species is gradually repopulating in the area again.
The biologist built a greenhouse for the butterflies in his own backyard. It had all the perfect conditions for butterflies to grow – sunlight, temperature fluctuations, and an occasional nice breeze. He also learned that the butterflies only feed on one plant – the California pipevine (Aristolochia californica), which was pretty hard to track down. After a while, Wong found the plant in a botanical garden, which allowed him to take a few clippings of the plant. Once his butterfly paradise was built, Wong transported 20 caterpillars to it and let them grow. Now, around 3 years later, his butterfly home is thriving, and he’s not stopping yet!
More info : Instagram | Booster (h/t: vox, mymodernmet)
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The California pipevine swallowtail butterfly was disappearing
Until biologist Tim Wong decided to repopulate it in his back yard
The butterflies only feed on one plant – the California pipevine, so Wong transplanted it into his yard
He built a greenhouse that had all the perfect conditions for butterflies to grow
Then brought in 20 caterpillars
And they began their long process of maturation
Where a caterpillar forms a chrysalis, until it finally turns into a butterfly
Now, 3 years later, Wong’s butterfly home is thriving and San Francisco is seeing more of these butterflies every day
“Each year since 2012, we’ve seen more butterflies surviving in the garden, flying around, laying eggs, successfully pupating, and emerge the following year,” said Wong
“That’s a good sign that our efforts are working!”
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What do you think ?
Caroline Driver 9 years ago
Intentions and skills. He knew what he was doing. Well done to him though, one small piece of nature rescued
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Paula Luedke Pennington 9 years ago
I have "captured" Monarch caterpillars, fed them, etc. and tagged them after going to monarchwatch.org! VERY interesting, but VERY sad s you don't see as many Monarchs as you used to! You can thank Monsanto for the loss of butterflies and more!!!!!
Rob Lynn 9 years ago
> bashes Monsanto > promotes project funded by Monsanto
Load More Replies...
Elly Clifton 9 years ago
Well done, they are stunning butterflies, it would have been so sad to loose them from the world
Shruti Naik 9 years ago
I freaked out looking at the pic of the caterpillars but truly inspirational!! :)
Yvonne Bernal 9 years ago
I attend the Butterfly Pavilion every year here at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. I was lucky enough to get pics of this very butterfly! How lucky I am! P1080478-5...a375b7.jpg 
Maria João Barata 9 years ago
A marvelous work! But if this butterfly feeds off one single species of plant, the California Pipevine, unless more of them are planted to sustain the growing population, then there are gonna be problems... Try to get the town to participate, to plant some of these in public gardens. They are indigenous to the area (they are called CALIFORNIA pipevines, after all), so schools could also be involved to teach children about the local flora and fauna and the importance of conservation. So many possible projects!
Caroline Driver 9 years ago
Intentions and skills. He knew what he was doing. Well done to him though, one small piece of nature rescued
Load More Replies... Paula Luedke Pennington 9 years ago
I have "captured" Monarch caterpillars, fed them, etc. and tagged them after going to monarchwatch.org! VERY interesting, but VERY sad s you don't see as many Monarchs as you used to! You can thank Monsanto for the loss of butterflies and more!!!!!
Rob Lynn 9 years ago
> bashes Monsanto > promotes project funded by Monsanto
Load More Replies... Elly Clifton 9 years ago
Well done, they are stunning butterflies, it would have been so sad to loose them from the world
Shruti Naik 9 years ago
I freaked out looking at the pic of the caterpillars but truly inspirational!! :)
Yvonne Bernal 9 years ago
I attend the Butterfly Pavilion every year here at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. I was lucky enough to get pics of this very butterfly! How lucky I am! P1080478-5...a375b7.jpg
Maria João Barata 9 years ago
A marvelous work! But if this butterfly feeds off one single species of plant, the California Pipevine, unless more of them are planted to sustain the growing population, then there are gonna be problems... Try to get the town to participate, to plant some of these in public gardens. They are indigenous to the area (they are called CALIFORNIA pipevines, after all), so schools could also be involved to teach children about the local flora and fauna and the importance of conservation. So many possible projects!
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