Picky Butterfly Larvae

From hatching to pupating and emerging as adults, butterflies undergo what is known as "complete metamorphosis" — a life cycle comprising four stages (egg, larva, pupa, adult), during which their internal organs and tissues transform dramatically. Butterflies are classic examples of insects with this life cycle. Mui Tsz Lam has built a butterfly garden, intentionally planting nectar plants such as rattlepod and milkweed to attract various butterfly species.

Adult butterflies visit blooming flowers for nectar, but their children are a very different story. Most butterfly larvae are famously picky eaters. When a female butterfly lays her eggs, she must carefully choose the plant her offspring prefer. A mistake could mean her larvae refuse to eat and starve. These specially selected plants are known as host plants, and larvae depend entirely on consuming them to grow.

It is worth noting that although almost all local butterfly species are herbivorous, there are two exceptions: the Lesser Forest Blue and the Common Brownie, whose larvae feed on other insects.

Behind Mui Tsz Lam, the feng shui woodlands and the secondary forest along the path support a rich variety of plant species. These plants happen to provide exactly the food that many larvae need, allowing them to thrive and complete their life cycle.