As a tool for elementary school science teachers, butterfly gardens
become a treasure chest of natural history. And more home gardeners
want to know how they can landscape for butterflies in their own
backyards. This program gives valuable information on starting
and maintaining a garden that's friendly to caterpillars and butterflies.
But this program examines more than just science and modern culture.
The magic of metamorphosis has served as a literary metaphor
for thousands of years, as we discover in examples of native myths,
readings and dream imagery. Costume and dance help tell ancient
stories from around the world. The symbolism of the butterfly
is one that even young children understand. As we look at examples
of this symbolism in art, as it is expressed in various cultures,
there is a universal theme that helps explain the popularity of
these delicate and ephemeral creatures.
"Psyche" was the name Greeks gave to both butterflies
and the human soul. For Hospice members and clients, the symbolism of the butterfly
is used as a source of solace and spiritual expression. An
Enchantment of Butterflies visits a magical world, where science
and art combine in one of the glories of nature.
Of all the things in nature that throughout history have captivated
the minds, hearts and souls of people, perhaps the most powerful
and most universal are butterflies. To gardeners and naturalists,
butterflies are considered the most beautiful and popular representatives
of the insect world. In this 40 minute program, Dr. Gary Noel
Ross, a lepidopterist whose lifelong love of butterflies has led
him around the world in his studies, invites us to uncover the
mysteries of butterfly behavior and development. We'll share in
his on-going research, and learn about the special habitats and
life cycles of butterflies.
Butterfly houses, long established in Europe, are becoming increasingly
popular exhibits in the United States. We'll look at butterfly
species from around the globe that are represented in these living
collections. We'll also look at the current practice of "butterfly
releases" at special events such as weddings, anniversaries
or memorial services.