To think you don’t catch a butterfly and take it round M&S

This species is not declining. It is eradicated as an invasive pest species in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

I dunno, but I was on a fabulous guided nature walk with my 4 yo daughter yesterday around some sand dunes in Kerry, in Ireland. The guide, who was really excellent, found a particular type of caterpillar, who eats a certain type of plant, which I can't recall the name, which allows this particular caterpillar to metabolise a type of cyanide , which potential predators sense (or intuitively know) so they don't predate on that caterpillar, or the very colourful butterfly that eventually evolve into.

These butterflies live for 1 yearv according to the guide, but amazingly migrate to the Mediterranean the first year from Kerry, then the next 'generation' of these butterflies migrate to Africa from the Med the next year, and finally the 3rd generation migrate 'back' from Africa to Ireland ~ 3 years after the original bunch. They fly in formation across the oceans apparently too. Mad!!

I found the whole life cycle & migration cycles spanning through different generations & continents absolutely fascinating tbh.

I'd never have harmed a caterpillar or butterfly already if I could help it. But now I realise they are amazing servants to and beautiful examples of nature imho.

P.s. guide also maintained that 50% of (assumedly insect assisted) pollination was carried out by moths & butterflies. So they ain't just pretty things, but also pretty damn useful.

(Rather like a non feminist , pretty woman tbh ;) )

.. just because society as a whole eats meat or uses plastic packaging doesn’t mean we can’t each take small steps towards change or respect for the environment.. it’s not a race of how low we can sink! IMO it’s irrelevant what other ways humanity destroys the planet. This is just one small behaviour that could’ve easily been adjusted and a better example set.

I think it’s a bit of an outdated way to learn these days tbh! I agree it’s cruel and it’s not a good example to set to children. The example should be (and I think most people hold now) to watch nature in action without interfering.

You speak for yourself. You nothing about me. Why do you think I am hypocritical?

Oh do shut up. She wasn't rude and you sound like a wet eyelash that gets offended by their own vagina.

Where is the equivalence?

You are aware of how much the mear industry destroys the environment aren't you?

But you’re eating meat for fun though no? Because you enjoy it? Not because you have to?

Would you have any animal products in your basket at the supermarket?

How do you think the animals you eat are treated?

It's not hypocritical. You destroy the environment you destroy us. You sound dim.

Perfect, perfect!! So glad you challenged. At the least it's bad to have an impact on the ecosystem like that while teaching kids to act selfish. More sinister though is teaching kids so little empathy you don't have to be vegan to have respect for living things.

Are chicken nuggets not entertainment for a child?

Not all butterfies are decling. The OP identifies this butterfly as a large white. It is common throughout Europe and Asia and is an invasive species in South Africa.

Catching butterflies and keeping them captive is unethical. They are wild creatures and it's of no advantage for anyone to capture them.

The eating of farmed animals is a whole different subject and of no relation to catching wild insects for fun.

OP TRIED to save the butterfly. I can't get my head around an adult encouraging a child to be cruel.

My point is the charge of hypocrisy doesn't help anyone as we are all hypocritical to one extent or another. It doesn't mean we shouldn't do good when we can. It all starts with awareness and one step in the right direction

Well it would be a bit hypocritical to be worried about one common butterfly whilst millions of mamals and birds are kep in factory farms and face a brutal death. In fact the OP could have had cow, pig, sheep etc in her bag at this supermarket.

no the argument is neither is fine. But you can’t argue one is ok and the other is not…

So because we kill animals for meat, it’s fine to kill a butterfly for entertainment ? Don’t make me laugh.

But she didn’t save the butterfly she just lectured a small child in M&S whilst presumably buying non vegan items which hurt animals!? I can’t get on board with an adult preaching to a child they don’t know - especially when it’s peppered with hypocracy!

would the OP go up and lecture strangers in the street smoking whilst pregnant? Or drinking alcohol whilst pregnant? Etc
some people also seem to be more bothered about the rights of insects over humans.

God Bless You&Yours
💚🤗💚

There's all sorts of "hypocrisy" when it comes to animals (and other things!). As a nation of "animal lovers" we still seem to see some animals as meat and others as beloved pets, which I can't get my head round, and even us vegans get called hypocrites as field mice get killed by combine harvesters.

I would love for everyone to care about all creatures and wished everyone were vegan BUT the more we care about animals and nature the better. One butterfly saved is better than nothing. For the butterfly and us. Why I'm supporting @FanofLeaves

Totally random comment here but a few years ago I and my now 12 year old found a butterfly in the garden who’s wings were badly torn and stuck together, I assume from coming out of the cocoon badly - it couldn’t fly at all. My daughter wanted to make it a home to keep it safe and whilst I’d normally say no I allowed her to have it in a large box in her bedroom with fresh branches and flowers etc, on the condition she fed it daily. I wasn’t expecting it to make it through the night as I grew up thinking they only lived for a day but she ended up staying with us for 7 months. She’d just crawl all over my daughter and her room, it was actually very sweet, she’d feed her crushed bananas etc. She called her Tiger and my daughter formed a very close bond with her. She was a Peacock butterfly. She’s got her own little grave in our garden and my daughter still puts fresh flowers on it every week. Funny how something so small can have such a big impact. Keeping an animal that’s meant to fly in captivity for entertainment is wrong and the kid should be taught that from a young age.

What a very traumatic life span for the butterfly catch it observe for at least 10 mins and realise the beautiful creature back to nature! We have saw a lot this year and don't want that butterfly to tell all his/her/they fellow butterfly friends about the torture his endured as they may never return next summer.