Joseph Sugar

[Bill Oehlke]

Several years ago I was making a presentation to a group of fourth graders in their classroom, telling them about the moth and butterfly caterpillars that I rear. I had some live and empty cocoons and pupae and there were some live moths in the emerging cage.  I also had some newly emerged caterpillars.  The students were very interested and were learnig much about the life histories of these insects.
I also showed the studnets and other guests some mounted Sphingidae I had in a display case. I had captured the moths some thirty five plus years ago and they were still in good shape.
One of the mothers who was watching the presentation expressed some of the same sentiments expressed by Joseph Sugar.
I understood her concern although I did not agree with it.  I also explained to her and to the students that in the real world only about one percent (on average) of the eggs (200) deposited by a single female ever reach adulthood. There are natural predators
that keep populations relatively stable.  200 becomes 2 (male and female) and 200 becomes 2 (male and female) and the cycle repeats over and over. Otherwise we'd have an awful swarm of butterflies and moths.
I also explained that I generally release a small portion of the adults back into the environment so that I generally do not really disrupt anything.  As a matter of fact I actually help a great many  moths and butterflies escape predation by birds, wasps, stinkbugs, assassin beetles, etc.
That seemed to appease the students, some of whom had the same concern as the Mom.  Mom would have no part of my rationale and perhaps Joseph will not either.

I am confused by a number of Joseph's statements, however:
"1)  There is a HUGE difference between eating meat (as we evolved to do), and killing butterflies for the fun of it."
There are vegetarians who are opposed to eating meat because animals must be killed to provide same. They choose not to eat meat for the same reasons that Joseph opposes killing butterflies, i.e., it is cruel and unnecessary (Joseph's perspective)
Joseph could chose not eat meat; I am curious if he is a vegeatarian.
Perhaps we have evolved to eat meat the same way that we have evolved to collect things.

"2)  But sometimes in order to evolve we need to change and the biggest change has to take place 
in the minds of people who think it is their God-given right to snuff the life of any creature they want just to further their own selfish little hobbies."
Probably millions of Papillio polyxenes asterius (black swallowtail butterfly) and Pieris rapae (cabbage white butterfly) larvae are killed each year by garden pesticides just so that we can have "worm" free cabbage and brocolli and carrots and dill and parsley, etc.  I am curious if Joseph only buys organically grown vegetables that have not been treated with any insecticides (organic or otherwise). I am curious if he has a garden and uses any sprays.

"3)  I sure hope you don't teach your children that it is all right to murder innocent butterflies.  If you do, then how do you teach them where to draw the line?  Hmmm?"
In an earlier post Joseph indicated it was allright to kill moths (my favourites). They seem to be just as innocent as the butterflies and are just as beautiful I might add.  
Visit http://www.insectcompany.com/silkmoth/kirbywolfe.htm
So I am wonderng how Joseph is teaching his children (or his students) to draw the line.  What happens if ants are discovered in the classroom?? or there are roaches in the cupboard?? or head lice???  Hmmm?

"4) It seems I have found myself among the very enemy I hope to conquer."
I hope that Joseph does not self destruct because I suspect his lifestyle is one that either directly or inadvertantly results in the death of hundreds of "innocent insects" every year.  Some people find bees and wasps and spiders fascinating and would no more wish to see them killed than Joseph would like to see the butterflies killed.  I hope you are innocent Joseph.

Yesterday I set a mouse trap and l killed a mouse.  I did not take any real pleasure in killng the mouse, but I am glad he is no longer present to tear into garbage bags, terrify my wife, or leave possibly disease carrying droppings in the flour.

A few years ago I released many red admiral butterrflies that I had reared (under protection from natural predation).  The following year I had a bit of a population explosion in my garden and my nettles were covered with larvae and the nettles were being completely defoliated. To save the nettles, I began netting egg-laying butterflies and killing them and I also killed many larvae. I did not enjoy this activity but wanted to preserve my nettles.

Anyone who raises cabbage or cauliflower or any of the cole crops knows the need to control the populations of "innocent" cabbage white butterflies.  The word "innocent" as it applies to butterflies or any other creatures is in the eye of the beholder.  Giant swallowtail larvae can do much damage to young citrus trees.

I have to admit, however, that I share some of Joseph's sympathies.  Although I rear and sell many butterfly and moth species, I do not maintain a collection. I do not codemn others who do, but my own preference is for the rearing of livestock and photography of all stages in the fascinating metamorphic process.  I do kill some insects for specimens for others. I do not enjoy the killing.

Joseph, 
I do not see you as an enemy unless you embark on a crusade (which seems somewhat hypocritical to me based on what I expect your answers to be relating to items 1-4) to stop butterfly collecting. There are far more important social and environmental issues that you could devote your time to.  Most butterfly collectors enjoy and appreciate nature and are friends of the environment.  They generally do more to protect this wonderful world of ours than the average "bear".

Should you decide to continue to "protect" the butterflies by attacking those who generally DO PROTECT the butteflies, my only hope is that you develop an uncontrollable urge to photograph hornets and yellow jackets.  Incidentally, they kill far more butterflies 
(in the larval stage) each year than the collectors you wish to condemn.




 

Bill Oehlke
Box 476, Peardon Road
Montague, Prince Edward Island
Canada C0A 1R0
902-838-3455
http://www3.islandtelecom.com/~oehlkew
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