There’s something so magical about butterflies, even though science has proven that they don’t exactly live up to their romantic standards. But if watching their velvety little wings flutter through the air is your thing, then you should consider taking a trip to Petaloudes, also known as Butterfly Valley. Located on the western side of the Greek island of Rhodes, this valley is home to a subspecies of the Jersey Tiger Moth, and each May, they appear by the tens of thousands and cover the valley in a living carpet of wings.
During the rainy season, as caterpillars, they live in the Mediterranean’s forests, feasting on leaves. When they metamorphose at the beginning of the dry season, they follow the humidity down into the valley.
Their numbers are impressive — the thousands of them don’t even look like butterflies.
The butterflies’ wings appear as this brown and white striped pattern when their wings are folded.
But when they open, they show off a flash of orange.
When they reach Petaloudes, the butterflies land, well, everywhere.
They can crowd so thickly that they completely blanket trees and rocks. They’re beginning to cover this tree.
They’re espcecially big fans of the valley’s fragrant Oriental sweet gum trees.
But they don’t eat it — as adults, these butterflies don’t actually have stomachs. Instead, they live off the fat reserves they stored up as caterpillars. As adults, they simply mate, lay eggs, and die.
(via Amusing Planet)
Sadly, increased tourism has out a strain on the valley and the butterflies. Since they can’t eat, the butterflies have to conserve as much energy as possible. If they are frightened by humans, they waste precious energy reserves getting away. Therefore, visitors are advised to stay in designated areas and not to make loud noises that could startle the butterflies.
