B u t t e r f l i e s   a n d   M o t h s

Most people know about butterflies because they can see them in the daytime. Butterflies can be seen hovering about, over and around flowers and other colorful objects in their area. Some large and small butterflies can be seen sitting around puddles after rains siphoning minerals out of the muddy soil. What most people know is that they pollinate flowers and fruit blossoms and help nature produce fruit and seeds.

Moths are more secretive about their activities because most are active at night; however, there are some very active moths in the daytime. Most of the daytime moths don't look like our idea of a typical moth. Many mimic other daytime insects such as wasp, bumblebees and some even look and act like hummingbirds. Most large moths though, do their activities after dark. When daylight comes, moths usually blend into their backgrounds which protect them from predators. Some have large black spots on their hind wings which gives them the appearance of an owl. This scares would-be predators away. Large Luna moths hang on trees looking almost like a leaf.

Much research has been done on moths and many interesting facts are noted about these nighttime pollinators--too many to note in this short nature nugget. Some very interesting features though, are that some female moths produce a chemical in their bodies called pheromones. When released, pheromones can attract males up to 7 miles away, according to some scientists. Other moths produce silk and these moths are raised on large farms. Their cocoon's are unwound and woven back into beautiful silk materials. Sphinx moths, or hummingbird moths as they are sometimes called, come around in the evening and pollinate tropical fruit blossoms and evening blooming flowers.

It appears that all creatures great or small have a purpose in nature. Some are not as noticeable as others--just like people in the church. If we all do our part for Jesus, our lives will be much happier and our church will run much smoother. This will be our way of thanking God for all the wonderful gifts he has given us.

Burney Tompkins

    - Uncle Burney