A Butterfly Effect
TRAVELING THE WORLD
The residents at the
Pepperberry Suites started
a monthly Armchair Travel
club! Each month the
residents “visit” a different
vacation spot to learn more
about.
The residents visited Georgia
last month. They learned
about its rich history, as well
as seeing some of Atlanta’s
vibrant tourist attractions.
Our residents were able to
sample some delectable foods
from the south.
As an activity, residents
made passports that will
receive a stamp each month
they travel with us. Flo
shows off her passport and
first stamp!
The-Orchards.com
A BUTTERFLY EFFECT
The transformation of the
butterfly is a truly amazing
process and one that has
intrigued both our residents
and staff alike with our hands
on project at the Stone Pear
Pavilion last month. During
Stage 1, the female butterflies
deposit their pin-size eggs on
leaves in small clusters. We
found ours on the Milkweed plant. After a 1-2 week
gestation period, the eggs hatch into butterfly larvae,
more commonly known as caterpillars. The caterpillars
will grow up to 1,000 times their original birth weight
consuming grass, leaves and other plant material,
splitting and shedding its skin 4 to 5 times during the
larval state. The larvae stage
may last anywhere from just a
few weeks to up to three years,
depending on the species.
When the caterpillar has
grown to its maximum size
and it is ready to pupate, it
spins itself a little silk pad on
a leaf or twig and hooks into
it upside down to begin the
pupa stage. It is when the last
caterpillar skin peels back that the already forming
pupa underneath will harden as it is exposed to the
air. Oxygen is carried into the pupa, or chrysalis,
through tiny pores to allow for breathing. What is
happening inside the pupa during this transformation
is a break down and rearranging of caterpillar cells
forming the butterfly. This metamorphosis can take
under 10 days to up to several months and even a year
depending on the species and climate conditions.
In stage 4, the butterfly emerges from the pupa case
in the adult form. It will hang upside down for about
an hour drying its wings behind it and pumping blood
from its abdomen to the wing veins to straighten and
stretch them out. When the blood pumping stops the
wing veins will harden and the
butterfly is now ready to take
flight. An adult butterfly’s
life span varies from a week
to several months. Most of
their time during this period
is spent looking for a mate at
which time another batch of
fertilized eggs are produced
and the cycle begins anew.