Recently, a heavily pregnant Common Lime Butterfly (Papilio demoleus malayanus) mommy checked into My Nice Garden Maternity Centre and laid eggs on my citrus lime (limau kasturi) plant. Soon, the eggs hatched into baby caterpillars that looked like blackish bird droppings on the leaves. These caterpillars ate a lot 24/7 and when their skin changed to a paler shade of green, I transferred them to my 'baby incubator room'. They were on a strictly vegetarian diet. After they had eaten enough of greens, they fell asleep for a week or so.
A few days ago, I was overjoyed to see this beautiful adult butterfly flapping its wings and knocking on the plastic walls of its enclosure. I knew that it was time to say goodbye. But then I thought we had only just met? So I held the box close to me because I wanted to prolong this brief moment of joy. It was a nice feeling with this butterfly so close by, flitting and moving and so full of life. Then it was time to let go and as I opened the lid, it flew out and was gone, happy to be free.
This is my first Lime Butterfly born in captivity! Yay!