Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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Butterfly Massacre. I reside in the Central Valley of California. I have lived on my smallish (37 acre) farm since 1978--46 years! At my age one contemplates one's death more than when a teenager. Being a biologist, I also think about the death of other creatures. Chatting with my wonderful farm helper, I asked him why all the butterflies were moving en masse, Being pulverized (as he also drove) by the speeding autos? He wasn't sure, but finally, together, we came up with 'migration'. Yes, many species of lepidoptera migrate besides Monarchs. The predominant shifting species at present is the lovely Sulphur-- Moving to new local feeding grounds to ensure more future caterpillars! The beautiful yellow (Sulphur), black-tipped flyers Move across the more open roads for easier flight And are sadly meeting their own holocaust. We think of the roadkill of larger creatures: deer, rabbits, raccoons, But insects such as butterflies and Honey Bees Are slaughtered every year-- The butterflies as they migrate And the foraging Honey Bees, Innocently traversing from their human-made hives. 1925 was the beginning of road ecology science And we humans, because of our vehicles, Have invested millions in the prevention of creature annihilation-- Tunnels, wildlife bridges, speed limits, warning signs-- But the Class Insecta individuals remain ever in peril. Frank Maurer 21 July 2024 1550 Hours.