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

[FanofLeaves]

Was just picking up a few bits in M&S and there was a girl about 8 years old or so swinging one of those butterfly net thingies off her arm. On closer inspection I saw she had one in there (not the ones you send away for, although that would be bad enough, one that had obviously been procured organically)

Her mum was busy looking at something so I said to the girl ‘oh! What a pretty butterfly. That’s a large white. I except you’re going to let it go after you’ve finished your shopping, aren’t you?’

The mum came over beaming presumably ready to hear a comment about what a fun summer holiday activity this all is, and said ‘no, we’ll take it home, keep it for a few days and observe it. It flew straight into the net so we had this ready to pop it straight into!’

‘I said ‘well I’m sure it would have been preferred to be observed in nature, where it was, not caught in a net and taken round the shops. Don’t you think it’s a bit cruel?’

Anyway she was visibly annoyed, and said ‘it’s fine. My children are learning about nature! We know what it eats!’

Anyway she steered her child away from me and said some people are just very joyless and bitter.

Yeah I know I probably sound like a busy body but I can’t bear it when parents tell their kids it’s ok to just take stuff out of nature for their own amusement. Why is it ok to do this? It’s so Victorian, to capture a creature to just look at it, no thought for the poor thing at all. Don’t get me started on why they still sell butterfly nets 😭

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.

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

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.

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.

Are chicken nuggets not entertainment for a child?

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.

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

How do you think the animals you eat are treated?

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

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

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

Where is the equivalence?

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

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

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.

.. 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 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 ;) )

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

Large Whites are also not in decline.

Are you related to Eric Cantona?

You aren't a fan of feministic women?

My apologies. OK. Most of us are hypocritical about something or other if we are truly honest with ourselves, and look deep enough. I hadn't realised there were some perfect people on the planet. You are clearly a much better human being than me.

Again, why are you making assumptions about me?

It's called sarcasm.

I wouldn’t allow my daughter to do this, she would be happy observing in nature for a fleeting second before it busily flies away safe in the knowledge that it’s safe and unharmed. You have to teach children these things.