“Petaloudes” in Switzerland is
well known as “valley of Butterflies”, is located on the western side of the
Greek island of Rhods, almost 25 KM away from the city near the Village Kalamonas. Well, Thousands of multicolor butterflies
covering the entire landscape in a thick but delicate blanket at the end of
May. The Petaloudes valley is home of Rhodes subspecies of the Jersey Tiger Moth
(Euplagia quadripunctaria rhodosensis), who make their annual appearance after
the rainy season. Therefore, in the rainy season, the butterflies habitually
live in the Mediterranean thicket in the caterpillar stage feeding on foliage,
and when the rainy season finished, the caterpillars metamorphose into
butterflies.
So, as the dry season approaches,
the butterflies naturally migrate, and travelling at night in search of
humidity, following the water course, and end up in the valley. The aroma of
Oriental Sweet gum trees prevailing in the valley actually attracted the
butterflies. Once they reach their
endpoint, they’re settled lightly on the trunks of trees & rocks or
whatever surface is available, in great numbers. As the butterflies like the
humid habitat of the valley, they spend their entire summer season in this cool
valley. Thus, they mate during the last weeks of August and early in September.
Most females fly away from the valley, or in few cases they fly for over 25
kilometers, to lay their eggs in safe dark places, preferably among plants and
bushes, and then die. Then in the next spring season the baby butterflies pop
out of their cocoons in spreading throughout the surrounding area. Consequently
in June they grow into full-blown butterflies, and then the heat and smell of
the gum trees entices them back to the valley, and the entire cycle repeats all
over again.
The Valley
of the Butterflies is a unique natural Park, is also a nice place to walk,
under the shade of the trees. Unluckily, the Petaloudes valley is open
to tourists and the increased foot traffic is spraining the butterfly
population. Unfortunately “Euplagia” has no stomach; in its place they entirely
live on their body fat which they had stored during their preceding lives as caterpillars.
Although visitors are cheered to visit the valley but they’re highly advised
not to disturb the butterflies or make loud noises.
Though continuous
disturbance from visitors such as clapping or whistling startle the
butterflies, and they become panic easily and forcing them to fly away
habitually from their resting place. So, the activity consumes valuable energy
that cannot be replenished, and countless butterflies run out of their energy
and die before they could reproduce. The valley is one of
the nature’s most beautiful gifts to Rhodes, a short drive inland with a scenic
gorge is home to eye-catching valley. Without any doubt the valley of
butterflies is worth a visit, with a lush green Valley and a small river
running through it. The valley is beautifully arranged, with little wooden
Bridges, stone, steps, and an uphill path which leads to the Monastery of the
Virgin of Kalopetra.
No comments:
Post a Comment