Hi Mike,
A few things in response to your post: -
MikeOxon wrote:the butterflies appeared to be behaving normally - flying around, mating, laying eggs, as well as feeding.
Ah, “appeared” – the crucial word. But they weren’t in their normal environment in respect of: -
1) flora (in particular) and fauna assemblages.
2) climate (unlikely the totality of species displayed were ALL within their normal temperature, humidity, precipitation and daylight ranges).
3) their dispersal profile (spatially very restricted).
4) stocking levels (far in excess of “natural” to ensure enough are visible to visitors).
Instinct, rather than intelligence, is the key to insect success. But this instinct directly interacts with the environment they are born into – the ability to find right food plants and nectar sauces, density levels, the interaction with ants, etc. - this extended phenotype can’t all be recreated in a small greenhouse for every species.
Yes, they can still fly, mate and feed – but they are nevertheless thwarted from living what would be their instinctively natural life.
That, to me, is not the way we should be treating the insects we all so love.
MikeOxon wrote:they certainly gave a lot of pleasure to many people.
Ah, yes, as did feeding Christians to the lions, dog fighting, animal circuses, etc. – we move on, progressively I hope.
MikeOxon wrote: I felt that it extended my vision beyond its usual range of British and European species. It was interesting, for example, to witness the different mode of flight of the larger species.
Yes, OK, we are all “butterfly train-spotters”, or at least I am. Nothing like chalking up a new species and getting some super photos to enhance that experience even more, is there? That’s fine in “the wild”. I just don’t feel the same about captive animals in a menagerie. Do the ends justify the means, in other words? That’s my moral dilemma, and it’s apparent how I have resolved it.
MikeOxon wrote:Thank you for stimulating me to think a bit more about this subject,
Happy to oblige, hope I have given you even more food for thought.
As Vince Massimo says, I have "opened a debate on a subject which was waiting to be aired". All I want is for butterfly lovers to give this issue some deep philosophical thought - and to think not about our own personal enjoyment but the unnatural conditions inflicted on the exhibits.