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A male Black Swallowtail butterfly is released at DuPage UU Church in Naperville. Photo: Peter Chen (Posted By Susan Birk, Community Contributor / July 17, 2014) |
A male Black Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes) munched hungrily on purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) as it was released in the native flower garden at DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church in Naperville on July 13. The caterpillar was found on a Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) at the church and brought home by butterfly enthusiast Katie Bell. Bell used skills and knowledge acquired in a butterfly breeding class to feed and protect the insect in her home for three weeks. Photographer Peter Chen was on hand to document the release. Bell is currently nurturing the caterpillar of a Monarch butterfly, which will also be released in the church's garden. The garden was planted in 2013 to create an ecosystem that supports native flora and fauna.
In June 2013, DuPage UU Church received the Earth Flag for environmental sustainability from DuPage County and SCARCE (School & Community Assistance with Recycling & Composting Education). For more information, please visit www.DuPageUUChurch.com or contact the church office at 630/505-9408.
