Life of Guangzhou - Special Team Observes Butterfly for 27 Years

This team has haunted the byways and thick undergrowth in Baiyun Mountain for 27 years. They took photos of butterflies urinating, witnessed the grand sight of thousands of butterflies gathering at one tree, and even discovered unknown butterfly species.

Shooting butterflies

All in a Day’s Work

Since 1981, the butterfly search team has been led by Instructor Chen Xichang. With the intention of learning more about the habits of that creature, they spent every Tuesday, rainy days aside, on Baiyun Mountain. By 2003, they had observed over 160 kinds of butterflies. By last year, they had found 171 varieties, some new and some thought extinct.

Searching for Butterflies

The team members, humorously called “Special Agents”, spent much of their time in places full of thickets, arbor and weeds, which attracted few tourists and therefore incurred less damage. The preserved natural environment attracted many butterflies.

They also searched for larvae and chrysalises, which they brought back and used as specimens. Many pupils learned about butterflies as a result of their efforts.

Butterfly egg in different forms

Interesting Episodes during Butterfly Observation

There are 490 species of butterfly in Guangzhou, and the researchers collected data on all of them on Baiyun Mountain. In the process, researchers were honored to discover two new species, which they named after themselves. Henceforth, they will be remembered for good in the names of their discoveries.

Furthermore, In their opinion, observing butterflies helps cultivate good taste and keep a positive outlook.
Some of their experiences, however, were less serious. Once, a student found a butterfly peeing and took a photo at that very moment. This butterfly was 3 cm long, but its stream of urine was about 6 cm long.

The Future of the Butterfly Team

The butterfly team has walked a long way during their explorations, and they will never cease.

Like birds, the butterfly participates in a yearly migration. The butterfly researchers believe more surveys need be done on this subject, and they are now calling upon Internet users across the country to take part in this activity. Feedback provided by Internet users could help identify butterfly migration routes.

Butterfly urinating

(By Jamster Deng, Usha Chilukuri)