章節 168: Chapter 734: The Faded Specimen
The two of them strolled leisurely along the paths of the Butterfly Pavilion, admiring the various beautiful butterflies.
They read the educational display boards along the way, learning a lot about butterflies.
For example, butterflies do not have a heat production system and need to bask in the sun to regulate their body temperature, using their wings to adjust the temperature.
When exposed to direct sunlight, their scales automatically open to reduce the angle of solar radiation and absorb less heat. When the external temperature drops, the scales close tightly against their bodies, allowing direct sunlight to warm them and absorb more heat.
This way, they keep their body temperature within a normal range.
The temperature control system on artificial satellites is designed by mimicking butterfly scales.
In winter, to observe their surroundings while basking in the warm sunlight, butterflies position their heads facing south, like a compass.
The famous monarch butterfly and its migration journey were also introduced.
The monarch butterfly, scientifically known as Danaus plexippus, migrates like the avian world's migratory birds. Every August and September, they form massive groups of over a billion butterflies, migrating across North America to overwinter in the pine forests of California and Mexico, returning north in the spring.
The sight of so many butterflies gathered together is spectacular. Butterflies densely cover the trees, their vibrant colors turning the forest into a sea of orange and red.
The monarch butterfly's migration spans generations. As they migrate, they reproduce, with each new generation continuing the journey. A round-trip migration is completed by five generations of butterflies.
They migrate approximately 130 kilometers a day, with the longest journey reaching up to 5000 kilometers.
Tang Xiaoxin looked at the display board and imagined their migration scene, feeling a surge of emotion!
These fragile, paper-thin creatures have such a clear goal, using the sun as their compass, flying straight in one direction.
They soar high above the Earth's curve, enduring weeks of continuous flight, covering thousands of kilometers, ending their short lives, and leaving their offspring to carry their genes forward.
Such incredible and romantic creatures.
However, the subsequent content dampened her spirits.
In the past 20 years, the monarch butterfly population has plummeted, reaching the brink of vulnerability and even endangerment.
One reason is habitat loss due to illegal logging, destroying large areas of coniferous forests.
Another is the extensive use of herbicides and pesticides, reducing the milkweed plants they rely on for survival.
With global warming and increased carbon dioxide levels, milkweed might produce toxins intolerable to larvae.
Extreme weather events, such as cold snaps, can cause significant caterpillar mortality, reducing the number of butterflies that hatch.
Insects are crucial to biodiversity and play essential roles in ecosystem functioning. For example, pollinating insects worldwide create an annual value of thousands of billions of dollars, yet they receive little public attention.
Recent studies show that in the past 30 years, global insect numbers have been declining by 2.5% annually, with over 40% of insect species now in decline, and about one-third of species endangered. Butterflies, moths, and bees have seen the most significant declines.
Intensive industrial-scale agriculture, excessive pesticide use, urbanization, and increasingly frequent abnormal climate changes are the main factors causing the sharp decline in insect numbers.
Beside the display board, there was a monarch butterfly specimen, quietly sealed in glass.
Compared to the other lively butterflies, it appeared somewhat dull.
Tang Xiaoxin gazed at the specimen, lost in thought.
Imagining all the butterflies in the garden turning into dried specimens, only to be remembered through such displays, was quite a sad thought.
Without attention and protection, this could become a reality in ten or twenty years.
"Don't cry, let the fireflies guide you to escape, the countryside song will always be your support..."
Fireflies used to be common, creating a romantic and beautiful scene in the fields at night. Now, where can they be seen?
Along with frogs, dragonflies, bats, and other animals, they have silently disappeared.
"Ah~"
Tang Xiaoxin sighed lightly, thinking of the zoo's native exhibit area.
Using ecological pest control, without pesticides and fertilizers, providing habitats for various animals, achieving harmony between humans and nature.
Hope rekindled in her heart.
...
After visiting the Butterfly Pavilion, they arrived at the cherry blossom grove.
Beautiful cherry blossoms adorned the tree branches, filling the view with romantic pink hues.
A refreshing spring breeze gently swayed the blossoms, bathing them in golden sunlight. The semi-transparent petals seemed to emit a faint glow, looking pink and lovely.
Visitors walked among the blossoms, admiring the cherry blossom scenery, frequently raising their phones to capture the romantic scene.
Tang Xiaoxin approached the cherry blossoms, took a deep breath, and smiled, "It smells so good! Is this the scent of happiness?"
Qian Keke raised her hands, closed her eyes, and embraced the cherry blossom grove, showing a blissful expression, "Wow, this is amazing. I want to lie down here and take a nap!"
"Don't sleep; we still have more to explore!"
"I'm just saying~"
They visited the snow monkey exhibit. The snow in the temple square had melted, and the pond was filled with green water, indicating it had been switched from hot springs to regular water.
Although they couldn't see the snow monkeys soaking in the hot springs, watching them play against the cherry blossom backdrop was delightful.
Some snow monkeys swam in the pond, creating ripples that made the beautiful cherry blossom petals float up and down.
Others jumped up and down the cherry blossom trees, swinging from branches and playing.
Occasionally, they plucked a petal and tasted it.
Two little monkeys rolled into a ball, hugging each other.
The monkey king, Da Hei, squatted on a rock, watching the playful youngsters with a gentle gaze.
It looked aloof and unapproachable, but its eyes were soft.
After playing for a while, a little monkey ran to Da Hei, tugging at it, seemingly inviting it to play.
Da Hei, somewhat helpless, began grooming the little monkey.
The groomed little snow monkey squinted its eyes, looking very comfortable.
However, after a couple of strokes, Da Hei stopped. Grooming was just a way to placate the little one.
The little snow monkey looked up, hoping Da Hei would continue grooming it.
Da Hei jumped off the rock and moved to another spot to stay.
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