wisdom
a flutter of wings,
a season of abundance
“It isn’t common for indigenous peoples to seek out butterflies or moths simply to admire them,” says Alweet Hlungwani, a Field Guide at Singita Sabi Sand. “One day, I believe our children will see a moth not only as a source of food or income, but also as an object of beauty. Something to be admired. Something that brings them pleasure.” Maphaphatani is the Tsonga term for butterflies and moths, for Lepidoptera. There are over 10,000 species of this order across Southern Africa, each carrying eye-catching or camouflaging colours and patterns on wings which vary in shape and size. They emerge from the cocooned stillness of winter each spring, filling the landscape with brightness and energy. Like flying flowers and leaves, they draw the eye – and the admiration of many who cross their path. There’s an innocent wonder in humans’ collective appreciation for these winged creatures, and yet they aren’t always seen beyond their visage.
Maphaphatani are extremely sensitive to changes in their environment. Even the slightest shift in soil condition or temperature can alter their behaviour. Monitoring them paints a picture of the well-being of entire ecosystems. The more butterflies and moths one sees, the healthier it is – they help sustain it through pollination. Butterflies travel extremely long distances, covering a huge variety of plants and flowers each day. Through this, they introduce genetic diversity to the landscape, helping plants develop greater disease resistance. Moths, on the other hand, pollinate at night, facilitating the continuation of nocturnal plant species. Without each, the food chain would collapse. They’re sustenance for so many other species. And as global bee populations decrease, both are proving ever more vital to the ecosystem. The more we understand that perspective is what defines value, the clearer it becomes that beauty and function can be equally important at different times.
Right Nature isn’t beautiful for us, yet we are still given its beauty to enjoy.
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