Crumpled wings from chrysalis

[Rev Chuck]

Are any of the kids handling the butterflies before their wings are 
expanded and dry?  The lightest brush from a fingertip is all it 
takes.  

Andria & James Wood wrote:
> 
> To the Lepid-lovers,
> 
>    That almost sounds like a disease doesn't it!?  Anyway, my wife is a
> 2nd Grade school teacher and every year they do a module on butterflies,
> during which time they recieve a kit with caterpillars and food.  The plan
> is for the kids to enjoy watching the marvelous transformation from 'worm'
> to 'winged wonder'.  This year, though, several of the butterflies emerged
> with crumpled and otherwise disfigured wings to the point that they
> couldn't fly.  These are Painted Ladies _Vanessa cardui_, and my wife says
> she has never seen such a rash of grounded butterflies (and they really do
> look pitiful!).  Our question to you (the experts) is what would cause
> this abnormality in the first place, and secondly, why so many at one
> time?  Are they emerging prematurely?
> 
>    Thanks for any thoughts on the subject.
> 
>    Sincerely,
> 
> --
>     Andria & James Wood
>      Birmingham, AL  USA
> archilochus at mindspring.com

-- 
Nothing says you're insane like prayer.  
Rev Chuck, Alt.Atheism #203, Ordained Reverend, ULC, 17 March, 1997.
Remove -REMOVE_THIS- from address to respond.