Yes, I hate butterflies. I used to think I liked butterflies. In fact, like many of you, I read about the plight of the pollinators, and I took action, creating beneficial habitat.
I also educated myself, reading many books by The Xerces Society, a group which works for the benefit of invertebrates.
And now, perhaps because of creating better habitat, but more likely because of educating myself, I’m seeing butterflies everywhere.
I thought that would make me happy. But working in the fields, mowing hay, raking hay, baling hay, my mood darkened. It took me awhile to check in with myself and figure out why.
I’m working hard in the summer sun, sweat pooling in my butt crack, and butterflies are aimlessly flitting, floating, and fluttering.
They lack discipline. They lack direction. Do you have any idea how long I had to wait by this Milkweed to get a good photo?
Occasionally, I’ll catch two of them having sex, mid-flight. Its not enough that they can fly and I can’t. They add insult to my injury by fornicating, joining the meter high club.
Sidenote: As I write this, a bee is in a death struggle with a spider outside my window. The bee is losing and I’m glad, as I don’t like bees either.
Bees however, I respect. They work hard for a living. Flying straight to flowers, doing their thing, then flying directly back to their hive. No aimless meandering for bees.
Butterflies practice casual sex, then lay their eggs and completely forget about their offspring. They do absolutely zero when it comes to raising their offspring.
The eggs hatch and the caterpillars spend their adolescence eating and pooping. They live on their food. How charmed of a life is that?
And then, as a reward for all this gluttony, they form a chrysalis, take the mother of all teenage naps, and wake up as a butterfly. It this fair, God?
I reserve my worst vitriol for the Monarch Butterfly. The Monarch Butterfly winters in Mexico. Yes, you read that right. The Monarch winters in Mexico.
For the longest time, scientists couldn’t figure out where the Monarch goes in winter. Hint: Check out a sleepy little Mexican village in the mountains, with just the right climate to spend the winter.
It’s not enough for the Monarch to enjoy the heat and humidity of a midwestern summer, they also get to enjoy their winters, while I’m stuck here on this farm, paying the bills, feeding the stock, and chopping wood to stay warm.
Butterflies are the ultimate hedonists. Is it any wonder they’re struggling?
Posted by Curiousfarmer 
