Float like a butterfly
BEAUTIFUL, colourful, peaceful, delicate. Butterflies are all these things.
They are insects that fly with large, bright wings. As with all other insects, butterflies have a head, thorax and abdomen, six legs, compound eyes, a pair of antennae, and an exoskeleton. But their elaborately designed wings are the most attractive and prominent feature of their body.
The life of a butterfly is fascinating to watch. A butterfly is born from a tiny egg as a small, stubby worm-like creature called a caterpillar or larva. This caterpillar, when it grows older and has had its fill of leaves, turns into a cocoon called a pupa or chrysalis, where it transforms into a butterfly through an interesting process known as metamorphosis.
The metamorphosis ends when it breaks out of its pupa, a butterfly is born ... again!
Recently, Starchild asked readers to send in letters on the topic: Butterflies. Let’s hear what they have to say.
Darren Tan, 11, eagerly imparts his knowledge on butterflies and caterpillars. “Butterflies are beautiful insects that have colourful wings. Did you know a caterpillar first feeds on the egg shell from which it is born? Caterpillars also shed their skin several times so that they can grow. It’s a beautiful way to become a butterfly.”
Natalie Ang XinYan, six, speaks with enthusiasm and passion about her drawing. “I drew 11 butterflies, and all of them have powers! I gave each butterfly six powers to go with their unique design.”
Irene Dalia Rizal Mohamad Rizal, six, says, “I love butterflies because they are beautiful and colourful. One fact I know about butterflies is that they love flowers.”
Yohenn Sivakumar, 11, shares a few facts. “Butterflies can fly between 5 and 30 miles per hour. Most butterflies feed on nectar from flowers. A butterfly can lay up to even 500 eggs!”
Tan Eve Lynn, eight, says, “I know that butterflies can see red, green and yellow, and that they can taste with their feet, which is actually pretty cool!”
“I love butterflies because they are beautiful, they can fly, and they are friendly,” Ian
Iskandar Azran, nine, says. “Butterflies are beautiful and I love them. They like to fly and eat nectar,” writes eightyear-old Gan Shi Qi. Sidaarrth, seven, says: “What I love most about butterflies is that each one is unique, beautiful and different, even if they belong to the same species of butterfly. Butterflies are special creatures.” – Compiled by Edmund Evanson
ITEM: The future is now! We live in a complex modern-day world. Because of these complications, and because we human beings wish for excellence and improvement, we often need help that can only be given to us by gadgets. Gadgets are usually electronic, machine-like and very high-tech. They can come in various sizes and shapes for specific or multiple purposes. What is your favourite gadget? What does it look like? What does it help you with? Don’t forget to send us a drawing too!
All letters must include your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below), gender, e-mail, phone number and address. Please write your name behind the drawing and the topic, Gadgets, on the envelope. All letters must reach us by Nov 17. Send your letters to:
Starchild, c/o Star2
Star Media Group Bhd
Menara Star, 15, Jalan 16/11
46350 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
You can also e-mail your contributions to star2@thestar.com.my. Please put “STARCHILD” in the subject line of your e-mail. Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200 dpi.