The Leigh Creek School Community Library in the Northern Flinders Ranges is hosting a live display of locally cultivated Milkweed plants that are home to a dynamic microcosmic world of Milkweed Aphids, Ladybugs, Australian Lesser Wanderer Butterfly caterpillars and more. The insect lifecycles have captured the imagination of many people in the community, young and old.
The installation has tied in with STEM and English studies at the school, and has already expanded into host and nectar plant cultivation in the school nursery, and an outdoor butterfly enclosure. The project has also grown to include the emergence of various Hawk-moths and other insects found in the local area.
The star of the show, however, has been the stunning Australian Lesser Wanderer Butterflies, which after pupating in surprising places around the library are emerging day by day in the Library.
A disused aviary adjacent to the library has been transformed easily into a butterfly house with some simple modifications and the addition of host plants for caterpillars and flowering nectar plants for butterflies.
Newly emerged Australian Lesser Wanderer butterflies are transferred from the library to the butterfly house. In addition to this, Orchard Swallowtail caterpillars have been introduced onto citrus host plants. More species such as Common Egg-fly and Chequered Swallowtail will be introduced to the butterfly house once their specific host plants have been cultivated.
This delightful project, loved by the community, was a simple collaboration between a local butterfly enthusiast, the staff of the Leigh Creek Library, the school community and the new Copley community nursery.