Butterflies take flight at the Butler library
If you love something, set it free.
Five-year-old Kamryn Shipos, of Butler, did just that Wednesday, May 24, when she watched as two butterflies she named Sweetie and Blossom flew from a basket at the Butler Area Public Library and into the world.
Kamryn’s mom, Christine Shipos, said her daughter frequently attends storytimes and other events at the library on North McKean Street, and the 5-year-old was anticipating the butterfly release after seeing the caterpillars and cocoons during a storytime.
“We’re glad we got to experience it,” Shipos said after the release. “Everything they have to offer at the library we try to come experience.”
Tiffany Harkleroad, youth services librarian, said she received 25 painted lady butterflies from a supply company on May 1. They lived in a mesh basket in the children’s section of the library until Wednesday, slowly changing from caterpillars to chrysalises to butterflies.
All 25 caterpillars turned into butterflies and flew out of the library’s courtyard Wednesday, Harkleroad said, although making sure they all survived took careful attention.
“I put fresh oranges in every day,” Harkleroad said. “I came in Saturday and there were two chrysalises left, and they were butterflies Sunday. The oldest ones are a week old now.”
Throughout the metamorphosis period, children could submit name ideas on butterfly-shaped paper for the butterflies, which Harkleroad stuck on her office wall. She received about 80 name submissions, and chose 25 at random, which included names like Fred and Molly, as well as Speed Racer.
Harkleroad said she enjoys the animal-related projects at the library, and that raising the butterflies was no different.
“We had so much fun watching these start out as caterpillars and evolve into chrysalises and then emerge as beautiful butterflies,” Harkleroad said.
