Simone Hébert Allard launched Manitoba Butterflies: A Field Guide (Turnstone Press) on Wednesday June 19, 2013 at McNally Robison Bookstore.
It is a resource never before written; a truly awesome body of scientific work illustrated photographically that appears like art worthy of any gallery.
Most Manitobans are familiar with the Monarch Butterfly which winters in Mexico and migrates to the Canadian Prairie region each year — a distance of about 3400 kilometres. This absolutely beautiful guide will also tell you about the wonderful Chryxus Arctic, the Canadian Tiger Swallow Tail, and the Question Mark.
There are 101 different species in the book and over 1100 photographs. Each butterfly has a picture of the four stages of development, a description, a location, a brief legend about each butterfly, and the Latin name.
The fascinating process of metamorphosis reminds us what we all learned in science class: the caterpillar changes its total being into a butterfly. This morphing from an earthly caterpillar into a butterfly flying freely in the sun has been used as a symbol of hope throughout history, inspiring human beings to break free from whatever chains them to darkness.
Simone Hébert Allard
Peter Taylor, who introduced Ms. Allard, became interested in butterflies while bird watching. He commented that he could see many more butterflies than birds in an outing, and now he watches for birds and butterflies.
Lepidopterology is the study of butterflies and moths. A question arose as to whether Ms.Allard would now be writing a book about moths next. She replied that this book took her five years to write and that butterflies comprise only 20% of the science of lepidopterology, and that she didn’t think she could take twenty years to write about moths.
There was also a question about what Simone’s favorite butterfly is. She qualified her response by saying it’s like asking who your favorite child is; however, she likes the Mourning Cloak — a hardy prairie butterfly that winters in Manitoba. A butterfly of browns and greys which survives the seasons. A great choice for Manitoba.
Nymphalis antiopa, or Mourning Cloak
