Common Lime Butterfly (Papilio demoleus)

It's crazy sometimes when some things just happen the way they do and in the end it all weirdly fits in beautifully like a jigsaw puzzle in  the most outwordly insane fashion! All of a sudden you find yourself doing things that you never thought you were capable of. Reminds me of a saying - "Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves again"! So true.....

Here's to an experience that made me feel just that! 

The Common Lime or  the Mariposa del Muerte, is a widespread Swallowtail which mostly finds it's home in citrus plants. It is also referred to as the Butterfly of Death hailing from the Old World now spread to the Caribbean and Central America. (Reference - Wikipedia)

Sitting pretty

Home Treasures - Chasing Butterflies...!

I saw it all of a sudden on the floor of my terrace garden as i went about my daily ritual of watering the 100 odd pots i play fairy god mother to! Being used to chasing butterflies or rather hopefully waiting for some pretty winged thing to come visit the plants when i laze around in my terrace, this came as a surprise because instead of perching on some flower, it was sittting blissfully on the terrace ground sunbathing. As it remained still for a while, i initially thought that it was hurt and then noticed a string of hair around it  assuming that it might probably be entangled in it. While wondering what to do and not wanting to miss this golden opportunity i ran inside to get my camera not to mention feeling a little guilty about wanting to take pics of a butterfly that was probably in pain or on the verge death! It was in the same stationary position when i got back. One of the prettiest guests to have come venturing into my garden, i couldn't help but feel sad at the thought that it might be hurt. 

So i edged a little closer hoping to unentangle it, just when it took off and landed in a nearby pile of dried leaves and caterpillar poop i had swept into a corner that morning. Yes you heard it right, i have had the honor of growing 3 Oleander Hawk Moth caterpillars the last couple of weeks much to the utter dismay of my mother as it ate up all the flowers and leaves on the pink Oleander plant. But that's what caterpillars do right? - Eat, eat and then eat a little more! I strongly disagree with anyone who calls them ugly wriggly creatures because for me just watching them grow seemed more of an ennobling experience. Although my mom did have a fair point, i must say,  my heart did go out to the caterpillars as i knew the leaves would grow back in time - but now that bit calls for a separate post!